About the Book

Grow with Me Poetry uses poetry as a means of introducing children and early teens to the practice of mindfulness. In Grow with Me Poetry, you will find both a primer on mindfulness and basic meditation techniques, as well as a guide to incorporating that practice into your daily life. Through unique interactive exercises and discussion prompts, adults and children alike will have the opportunity to engage, to converse, to learn about each other, and ultimately, to grow. This book is sure to become a treasured keepsake on any family’s bookshelf!

Grow with Me Poetry is perfect for you if...

via GIPHY

you want to learn more about the practice of mindfulness and how you can “sneak” it into the lives of children?
you enjoy a clever rhyme?
you want to learn a unique way to connect with children using a combination of poetry, journaling and engaging conversation?
you want to assure children that they are never alone in mundanely humorous to anxiety producing experiences?
you want a memory book of growth and maturity

Grow with Me Poetry uses the practice of mindfulness as a means of introducing poetry to children and early teens. In Grow with Me Poetry, you will find both a primer on mindfulness as well as a guide to incorporating that practice into how you read the rhyming lines of poetry that follow.

Unique to Grow with Me Poetry are the P.S. and P.S.S. inclusions after each poem.  The P.S. or Poetry Simplified, is meant to take the mystery out of why or what the author has written, often the most intimidating part of interpreting poetry. The P.S.S, or Personal Soul Space is the where you will have the opportunity to engage, to converse, to learn about each other, to grow.  You will both be journaling and drawing on the pages that follow each poem. When a child grows into their own reading skills and pen, the book is theirs to continue.  Once complete, it becomes a treasured keepsake. ​

Grow with Me Poetry is decidedly G-Rated. The content is both humorous and poignant and is suitable for preschool through early teens. Grow with Me Poetry is meant for novice to expert, child to adult, clinician to teacher without exception.  It is both a sign of our times and a gift to our children.

Praise for Grow with Me Poetry

“What a beautiful introduction to mindfulness and creativity for caregivers and children to cultivate together!”
-- Dr. Christopher Willard, faculty at Harvard Medical School and author of Alphabreaths

“Among the many wonderful mindfulness books for children, Grow with Me Poetry is a rare gem! Whimsical poems employ humor and rhyme to encourage children to develop self-awareness, understand their feelings, and appreciate the beauty in the world around them. Thoughtful questions and activities and enticements for journaling and drawing will help both novice and expert introduce mindfulness to children as a way of life. As someone who grew up reading and writing poetry as a part of family activities, I personally loved Fowler’s focus on facilitating the relationship and connection between older and younger generations through poetry. This unique collection will be treasured by parents, caregivers, teachers, therapists, and all the children in their lives.” 
-- Vivian Sisskin, Clinical Professor, Dept. of Hearing and Speech Sciences, University of Maryland 

“Grow with Me Poetry is an ingenious pairing of the lilting rhythm of rhyme with the practice of mindfulness. Research has evidenced the far-reaching impact of mindfulness for social and emotional wellbeing. When well taught and regularly practiced, mindfulness has been shown to help improve mood, self-esteem, self-regulation, and behavior. What better way to teach mindfulness than through the art of poetry! The poems generate curiosity, while encouraging open mindedness, gratitude, and appreciation. Learning and practicing mindfulness throughout the book serves to enhance the appreciation of poetry, and the developing love of the poems will encourage the mastering of mindfulness. A ‘win-win’ for sure.”
-- Kathleen V. O’Keefe, licensed clinical social worker and private practitioner specializing in the behavioral healthcare of children and adolescents 

“As we face unprecedented incidences of stress, anxiety, and depression among our children, Grow with Me Poetry provides parents and educators alike with a timely and gentle response. What a special gift! With her creative and unique combination of mindfulness and poetry, Bridgette Fowler’s Grow with Me Poetry offers an easy-to-use, heartwarming, and fun way to move beyond the sense of separation increasingly experienced by today’s young people.”  
-- Richard TenEyck, former superintendent, former Assistant Commissioner of Education (NJ)