The best way for children to develop literacy and vocabulary is through verbal interactions between children and adults (in the context of a loving attachment), as researched and noted by Maryanne Wolf in Proust and the Squid, a book about the science of the reading brain. That is to say, reading and talking to children is much more effective than teaching the ABCs or drilling curriculum. This presentation draws upon my experience writing reviews for Book Bonding, leading the Western Washington chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, and my work with the Neufeld Institute as both a parent facilitator and curator of an extensive list of children’s literature recommendations. In this talk, I share my favorite heart-led literature for children and adolescents and discuss ways to critically assess the literature that you might choose for various care-giving situations – pulling from examples to analyze what makes them work … or not, and how to compensate for any shortcomings.