Teacher-Recommended Mindfulness Books

I feature as many resources as I can about mindfulness and complementary practices, as well as a mindful approach to teaching and to working with youth.  There's such an overwhelming number of books being published these days that I can't possibly keep up, so I decided to reach out to friends and colleagues and ask for recommendations.  Many thanks to everyone who shared your favorites! 

The following books are all 'mindful teacher-tested' by educators and counselors who've used them personally or with their students and clients.  

Recommended Books from Teachers and Counselors

Titles link to Amazon just for your convenience; I don't have an affiliate account, so there's no financial benefit to me or MindfulTeachers.org if you buy books through links from this site.

Books for Teachers/Educators 

Discipline Over Punishment: Successes and Struggles with Restorative Justice in Schools by Trevor Gardner 

Growing Up Mindful: Essential Practices to Help Children, Teens, and Families Find Balance, Calm, and Resilience by Christopher Willard

Introversion in the Classroom: How to Prevent Burnout and Encourage Success,  by Jessica Honard 

The Invisible Classroom: Relationships, Neuroscience and Mindfulness in School by Kirke Olson

Learning to Breathe: A Mindfulness Curriculum for Adolescents to Cultivate Emotion Regulation, Attention, and Performance by Patricia Broderick 

Mindful Games: Sharing Mindfulness and Meditation with Children, Teens, and Families by Susan Kaiser Greenland

Mindful Learning by Craig Hassed and Richard Chambers 

The Mindful School Leader: Practices to Transform Your Leadership and School by Valerie Brown and Kirsten Olson 

Sitting Still Like a Frog: Mindfulness Exercises for Kids (and Their Parents) by Eline Snel

The Thundering Years: Rituals and Sacred Wisdom for Teens by Julie Tallard Johnson  

Books for Counselors/Therapists

ACT Made Simple by Russ Harris  

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy:  The Process and Practice of Mindful Change by Steven Hayes, Kirk Strosahl, and Kelly Wilson 

Living Well with Pain and Illness by Vidyamala Burch

Mindfulness for Health: a Practical Guide for Relieving Pain, Reducing Stress, and Restoring Wellbeing by Danny Penman and Vidyamala Burch

Scared To Leave, Afraid To Stay: Paths From Family Violence To Safety and other books on domestic violence by Barry Goldstein

When Dad Hurts Mom: Helping Your Children Heal from Domestic Abuse, and other books on domestic violence by Lundy Bancroft 

Self-Care and Personal Practice 

The Introvert's Way: Living a Quiet Life in a Noisy World by Sophia Dembling

Leaving It at the Office: A Guide to Psychotherapist Self-Care by John C. Norcross and James D. Guy  

Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga by Rolf Gates  

The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion by Christopher Germer

Mindful Tech: How to Bring Balance to Our Digital Lives by David M. Levy 

Also, these are some favorite authors of books about mindfulness and meditation: 

Tara Brach 

Pema Chodron 

Thich Nhat Han

More Booklists for Teachers and Therapists

Books That Heal Kids, recommended by an elementary school counselor 

Four Must-Read Books for Professionals Working with Traumatized Youth, recommended by Dr. Sam Himelstein of the Center for Adolescent Studies 

Recommended Books here at MindfulTeachers.org, including mindfulness for kids,  adolescents, and adults, as well as mindfulness and self-care for teachers and complementary practices and perspectives.

Do you have a favorite book about mindfulness, mindful teaching, complementary practices like yoga, or self-care for teachers and other serving professionals?  We'd really appreciate a comment letting us know about it.  This site has an international readership, and it's likely your colleagues in other parts of the world won't be familiar with all the same books.  


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