"Karen Stoneman has taken the priceless gift of Ayurvedic wisdom and delivered it in a magical tale for children to easily grasp and absorb. Brilliantly teaching children the laws of nature and how opposites balance, will no doubt give them lifelong potent tools to maintain and restore their health.  The beautiful artwork makes it a book that any age can enjoy!" 

Dr. Allison Bransfield Morse 

Founder of The Ayurvedic Center of Vermont

“As an early childhood educator and mother of three, I have read my share of picture books. Karen has done a wonderful job creating vibrant and fun loving characters for children to enjoy. Savitri has brought them to life with her colorful artistry. So great to see and hear the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda written in a simplistic way to pass on the stories to our young.”

Heather Schleupner

Former Preschool Teacher

Panchakarma Therapist

500hr Certified Pranakriya Yoga Teacher

“It's finally here!  A Balanced Friendship is the long awaited children's book series teaching the crucial Ayurvedic concepts of qualities and complementary opposites. 

Masterfully depicted through the prose of Karen Stoneman with imagery by Savitri Bhagavati, the words, images, and if you listen closely, even sounds jump off the page that inspire trust, support and balance in the cultivation of relationships. The way to achieve balance is exemplified through the playful and nurturing partnership between the story's protagonists Guru, Laghu, and the rest of the Ayuranimals whose introductions we anxiously await further along in the series.

Among the many lessons this book models are: understanding ecosystems and your place within them; safe spaces to understand, express and embody emotions; providing nurturing emotional support; self awareness; being present in the moment, overcoming obstacles using practical solutions and camaraderie within community.

As a former preschool teacher, I would recommend this book be a fixture on all preschool bookshelves and have added it to my bookshelf of reference materials in the field of complementary and alternative medicine for my pediatric clients.

In essence, what makes this book so profound and holistically relevant are how the author and illustrator successfully capture the beauty and wonder of the natural world on every page while instilling in its young audience the glorious moments of understanding every living creature’s unique and dynamic place within it.

Both Karen and Savitri have certainly found their unique and dynamic place within this important genre of children’s literature and I look forward to finding and spreading balance with each page of this volume and the many more to come.”

Ernesto Berrios

Ayurvedic Health Counselor