…we have an interior life…without that interior life, we are shells, we have nothing. And we have to remember it, honor and, occasionally, listen to it. –Rita Dove

Poetry can help make a space for children to know and express how they feel. Identifying emotions – and having the ability to recognize what actions and experiences cause particular feelings – is important and one of the essential skills for life success. I like to call these special poetry books Heart Books. These poetry books can help nurture emotionally intelligent kids but also build self-awareness as children begin to recognize how their feelings affect others. The poetry books I’ve selected are suitable for different grades, ranging from elementary to middle school.

If I may, I’ll share two more of my own heart books.