We were lucky to catch up with Rachel Glowacki recently and have shared our conversation below.
Rachel, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I found my purpose through pain. What makes me laugh now once made me cry.
I struggled to read as a child. I was often pulled out of the classroom and into the resource room. I remember feeling different and like I wasn’t enough. As I got older, I punished my body trying to be thin by starving, bingeing, and purging. It was a lonely and hurting place to be.
But those cracks are where the light came in.
Now I get to read to children for a living. I write stories that invite kids to move, breathe, and feel. I teach others how to care for their whole selves; body, mind, and spirit.
My healing became my offering. My greatest hope is that every child and grown-up I meet feels seen, feels loved, and knows their story matters.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I feel like all of my life’s work is wrapped up in my latest passion project, Move With Me Books.
Move With Me Books is an educational initiative offering a free Virtual Library of YouTube read-alouds that blend movement, breath, and mindfulness into children’s stories. Our mission is to grow this library with high-quality content that supports literacy, emotional well-being, and physical regulation—especially for children who thrive through multisensory experiences.
My mantras are simple: a calm brain is a learning brain, and a happy body is a healthy body.
I’m especially excited to announce the 9/19/25 release of our very first children’s picture book, All Through the Crown. It was originally a playful little song I made up when my sons were just three and four years old, set to the tune of The Wheels on the Bus. Now, as they prepare to head off to college, this story has become a celebration of peace, play, and purpose. This book feels like a love letter from those early parenting years—both for them and for the children and families we serve.
“All Through the Crown” is a musical storybook sung to the popular childhood tune ‘The Wheels on the Bus’. This interactive book will get kids and grownups moving, singing, and answering reflection questions together. Perfect for ages 2-7 years old to learn the basic concepts of the energy/chakra system, the colors of the rainbow, and body parts.
The book includes guided meditation and built-in reflection questions to deepen learning and spark meaningful conversations around body awareness, emotional wellness, and self-expression.
Illustrated by Ryan Nelsen, whose vibrant artwork bursts with texture, movement, and imagination-inviting readers to discover the colors of the rainbow with every magical page turn!
Bonus Surprise: Unfold the dust jacket to reveal a delightfully illustrated 10″ x 24″ chakra poster with positive affirmations-a magical touch for classroom walls, cozy calm-down corners, or peaceful mindfulness nooks.
We were honored to receive a Kirkus Starred Review, which called the book:
“A gentle, luminous invitation for children to connect with themselves and the world around them.”
This work is personal, joyful, and rooted in care. It’s my offering to help families slow down, breathe together, and remember the power of story to bring us back home to ourselves. I am literally healing my childhood now, as an adult.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
First is my sensitivity. I’ve always been super aware of others, what they need, how they feel. What I once thought was a weakness has become my greatest strength. Being attuned to people allows me to create safe and supportive spaces where kids and adults feel truly seen and heard. My advice to anyone early in their journey is to honor your sensitivity. It’s a gift, even when it feels overwhelming. Practice gentle self-care and remember that your awareness helps you connect deeply with others.
Second is work ethic. Growing up in a divorced family with both my parents working incredibly hard, I learned early on that if I want something, I have to put in the effort. That grit has carried me through the valleys and mountains tops. For those just starting out, I would say: stay committed and trust your gut. Consistency matters more than perfection.
Third is my experience working with children from a young age. Being the oldest cousin among 18 in my big Italian family meant babysitting early on. Later, teaching swim lessons at 16, assisting in preschools during college, nannying, leading youth groups, and even teaching fifth grade English in Honduras. Motherhood brought a whole new dimension of love, patience, and understanding to my work.
Something I often tell my young adults now is that it’s never too late to change your mind. You are never stuck.
Go where the water flows naturally, and be true to yourself. Because, as Oscar Wilde said, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
Also, as a writer, I’ve learned that nothing is ever wasted. A song I wrote 15 years ago has now become a tangible picture book. Something old that you love and created can be dusted off, reimagined, and brought to life in new and beautiful ways. It is never too late!
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m currently learning the ins and outs of grant writing and it’s making my head explode but I’m excited about growing our Virtual Library to reach even more children.
We’re eager to collaborate with funders, donors, and businesses who share our vision of making movement, mindfulness, and emotional literacy accessible to all kids.
With educational funding being cut and social emotional learning often unavailable in many schools, Move With Me Books fills an important gap by offering free, multisensory storytime experiences that support literacy and emotional well being.
If this resonates with you, please reach out to me at rachel@movewithbooks.com.
You can also explore our YouTube Channel and learn more about our work at movewithmebooks.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://movewithmebooks.com
- Instagram: movewithme_books
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MoveWithMe_Books
Image Credits
Carly Finke
Leigh Webber
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
