Local author Rashmi Kumar Shah's children's book I Found My Piece has achieved an unexpected milestone by climbing to #35 on Amazon's Top 100 Paid Books list for New Age Meditation, a category traditionally dominated by adult nonfiction. The book was the only children's title in the Top 100 at the time of this ranking, indicating a significant shift in consumer interest toward mindfulness resources for younger audiences.
Shah's book was recently featured at a special Mindful Storytime event during the Hendersonville Pride family zone, where children and families gathered for an interactive reading and hands-on activity. Following the reading, children decorated oversized cardboard puzzle pieces, drawing what brings them peace and makes them feel whole—an exercise directly inspired by the book's central metaphor.
"I wrote this book because I didn't see stories that taught children how to center themselves during life's changes," Shah explained. "Through storytelling and creativity, I wanted to provide a gentle empowering guide for young minds navigating their feelings. A reminder that mindfulness isn't just for adults, it's a tool that kids can carry with them for life."
The book's success on Amazon's ranking system suggests a broader cultural movement toward emotional education for children. Shah noted, "This milestone is surreal. It shows there's a real hunger for new wellness tools—not just for adults, but for children too. Families are looking for stories that reflect emotional growth, mindfulness, and connection."
Published by Archway Publishing, a service created by Simon & Schuster in partnership with Author Solutions, I Found My Piece offers professional publishing resources to authors seeking to bring their stories to market. The book is available in both hardcover and paperback editions and has been featured at multiple events as part of Shah's "Mindful Storytime Tour," including appearances at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, The Roasted Bookery in Wilmington, and upcoming events at Zen Youth Yoga in Austin, Texas.
Shah's background includes 15 years practicing corporate immigration law after earning both a bachelor's and law degree from UNC Chapel Hill, followed by launching a mindfulness coaching practice. Her transition from legal practice to children's authorship reflects a personal journey that informs her approach to emotional education.
The book's placement in Amazon's competitive ranking system carries implications for the publishing industry, suggesting that children's mindfulness literature represents an emerging market segment with substantial growth potential. As families increasingly seek resources to support children's emotional development, publishers may need to reconsider traditional category boundaries and marketing approaches.
"It's amazing to watch kids not only connect with the story, but also reflect on what makes them feel safe, happy, and calm," Shah observed. "That's really the heart of the book—giving children tools to name and navigate their emotions." This practical approach to emotional literacy, combined with the book's commercial success, indicates a meaningful evolution in how society approaches children's mental wellbeing through literature.
