The Breaking & the Blooming

by Keira Van der Kolk, Hannah Woolley (Illustrator)

A modern poetry book that details experiences with mental health, heartbreak, and the process of healing.

Genres: Poetry

147 pages, Paperback

Published May 20, 2022

Reviews

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection understood my heart in ways I never knew existed. It found my heart, broke it, healed it, and grew it. Thank you.

[mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

“I just wanted to be something to you without having to ask”

first things first (i’m the realest) the images within the book definitely felt out of place, it looks as if you found clipart off of google and pasted it in the book. i love the three sections that mark the stages of hurting and reaching that understanding of how everything happens for a reason. to teach you that even on days you feel like you couldn’t possibly be loved you should be, that’s the time in which you should receive it the most. i think there’s so much thought and meaning through each poem, you can just feel the capacity of the emotion put into it. although some of the pieces didn’t relate to me at some points, i found that you can still appreciate the feeling and thought of it. some of these words i felt like i just needed to hear, a lot of it takes personal growth to understand. a poem in the book stood out to me about why couldn’t we be loved the right way the first time around, because life is full of suffering yet without it we may never feel the full extent of happiness when it’s achieved. the end was extremely satisfying, the author realized her worth and how you don’t need someone to define your happiness or to validate when you can feel loved or good. but still everyone wants love and for someone to know that they are worthy of the best of love and won’t take the shitty kinds of love is empowering to strive for the love everyone deserves.

[Kelsey Wisniewski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book, but it was just okay, especially compared to other poetry books I’ve read. Some of the poems resonated with me, but many didn’t. The illustrations were distracting, grainy, and poorly made as well. They would’ve been better as scribbles rather than a cheesy computer-made graphic.

[Caterina Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inhaled this in one sitting! I felt like I was reading a collection personally written about me & my healing journey. Keira, thanks for making me feel understood & validated at 1am on a Sunday. You gave life to thoughts my brain infinitely has on repeat & strung together words my lips can never seem to formulate , let alone speak out loud 🤍

[Dana-Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed Keira for quite some time and always loved her pictures and videos she shared of her poetry. I was beyond excited to get this book as a gift and finally get the chance to read through more of her beautiful poems and see some of my old favorites

[NyClaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't even begin to say how much of an impact this book of poems had on me. I found this author via TikTok when I was going through a friendship break-up of 16 years.
The poems in this book broke me, they saw me, and they healed me.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! Beautiful poetry.

[Jennifer Keen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book of poetry! Enjoyed her work

[tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is exactly what I needed at this moment in my life. thank you for this Keira! 🥺🫶🏻✨

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still read through this book all the time, it's so well written and thought out. It's honestly beautiful, definitely recommend to anyone who likes poetry that makes you feel something.

[Tiffany Evangelista]

Healing is not easy, reading is the only way I know how to cope. The poetry in this book made my anguish seem minuscule and made me feel a little less lonely in my sorrows.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Keira on Tiktok and loved her vibes and how she reads her poems. Enjoyed her book as well!

[Sophie Straughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE SUPERIOR poetry book.