Author Visits & Appearances
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Meet Yolonda Deon Tyler
Yolonda Deon is the creator of Mindful Play Learning, a program that uses play, movement, and mindfulness to support children’s social-emotional development. A former counselor and children’s play space owner, she has spent over a decade helping families and educators bring more intention and connection into everyday play.
A certified children’s yoga and mindfulness instructor, Yolonda brings a trauma-informed and inclusive approach to her work with young learners. Through stories, music, and hands-on activities, she helps children explore mindfulness in ways that are playful, engaging, and easy to understand.
About the book
Deon the Mindful Mermaid was inspired by Yolonda’s lifelong love of mermaids and their sense of magic, mystery, and adventure. She created Deon as a character she could personally relate to and as a way to help children explore mindfulness in a simple and approachable way.
In the story, Deon learns to explore the world around her using her senses. The book also includes a sing-along mindfulness song and companion curriculum designed to help children practice these skills through movement, music, and playful activities.
Yolonda hopes the story gives children easy tools to better understand their surroundings and begin developing lifelong mindfulness skills at an early age. Most importantly, she hopes every child who meets Deon can see a little of themselves reflected in her story.
Inside the book
Explore the 5 senses of mindfulness
Deon explores the ocean using her five senses—seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching. These simple awareness tools help children slow down, notice the world around them, and practice mindfulness in a fun and natural way.
Sing along with Deon
The 5 senses of mindfulness song brings mindfulness to life through music and movement. As children sing along and follow the motions, they reinforce the five senses and experience mindfulness in a playful, memorable way.
Extend the learning
The Deon the Mindful Mermaid curriculum expands on the story with guided activities that help children explore mindfulness through play, sensory discovery, and creative exploration.
Interactive Mindfulness Read-Aloud Programs for Children
Bring mindfulness to life through story, music, and play. Inspired by the book, "Deon the Mindful Mermaid", these interactive read-aloud programs help children explore the five senses of mindfulness in a fun and engaging way. Perfect for schools, libraries, childcare centers, and more! Recommended Ages: Toddler- Grade 3
Interactive Read-Aloud
(30 minutes)
Children enjoy an engaging Read-Aloud of Deon the Mindful Mermaid with audience participation, a dance-along mindfulness song, and a simple breathing activity that introduces the five senses of mindfulness.
Hands-on Experience
(60 minutes)
Includes the interactive Read-Aloud of Deon the Mindful Mermaid plus hands-on activity stations where children explore the five senses through sensory play and guided mindfulness activities. A perfect blend of story, music, and sensory play.
Mermaid Meet and Greet (90 minutes)
The full experience! Includes the interactive Read-Aloud, mindfulness song, sensory activity stations, and a special live mermaid meet-and-greet inspired by Deon the Mindful Mermaid.
What Children Will Learn
Through story, song, and hands-on exploration, children will:
• Learn about the five senses of mindfulness and how they help us notice the world around us
• Practice simple mindfulness and breathing techniques
• Build self-awareness and emotional regulation skills
• Strengthen listening, observation, and curiosity
• Experience mindfulness as something fun, playful, and accessible
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