I write books that share a common theme of writing to touch the heart.

My Latest Book

Awakening the Heart: A bestselling resource for teaching poetry, now fully updated with new lessons, exercises and writing prompts that engage today’s kids.


Children’s Books

Welcome to the Wonder House

A place to explore the cornerstone of every great thinker – a sense of wonder. Winner of the 2024 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award; 2023 Best Poetry Book, School Library Journal; Kirkus and SLJ Starred Reviews.

The Arrow Finds Its Mark

A Book of Found Poems. CCBC Choice Award; Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year, 2013; Junior Library Guild Selection Book

Creatures of the Earth, Sea, and Sky

Animal poems

My Thoughts are Clouds

Poems for mindfulness. Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year, 2022; NCTE Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts, 2021

Falling Down the Page

A Book of List Poems. NCTE Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts, 2010

Songs of Myself

An Anthology of Poems and Art

Boom! Bellow! Bleat!

Animal poems for two or more voices. Featured in NY Times Book Review April, 2019

This Place I Know

Poems of Comfort. Top Fifty Children’s Books, Child Magazine Award, 2002

Teaching Books

Heart Maps

Helping Students Create and Craft Authentic Writing

For the Good of the Earth and Sun

Teaching Poetry

The Revision Toolbox

Teaching Techniques That Work (new edition!)

Awakening the Heart

Brand New Second Edition! Exploring Poetry in Elementary and Middle School

Poetry Lessons

Poetry Lessons to Meet the Common Core State Standards

Finding the Heart of Nonfiction

Teaching 7 Essential Craft Tools with Mentor Texts

A Place for Wonder

Reading and Writing Nonfiction in the Primary Grades

Climb Inside a Poem

Reading and Writing Poetry Across the Year

Writing Toward Home

Tales and Lessons to Find Your Way

Heart Maps Books

Heart Maps

Helping Students Create and Craft Authentic Writing.

Open Your Heart

A Calming and Meditative Coloring Book

Poetry Books

A Field Guide to the Heart

Poems of Love, Comfort and Hope (Poems & Journal) co-authored with Rebecca Kai Dotlich

The Woman in this Poem

Women’s voices in poetry