I learned poems by heart when I was young, and we’ve taught our kids to do the same recently. There is a cute video of Ella saying some poems she loves that I really enjoy.
Even though I knew so many poems by heart as a kid, I have to say I was not a big fan of poetry.
Sure, I enjoyed the poems I learned, but I found poetry as a whole quite scary, and I did not look forward to the poetry sections in my English lessons.
However, during my time training to be a school librarian, I found a book called “A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams.” Learning about his life and his well-known poems made me like him a lot (and the beautiful pictures by Melissa Sweet helped, too). Also, reading poems in a normal book, not just by themselves, really changed how I felt about poetry.
Even though I learned a lot of poems by heart when I was young, I don’t recall reading many poetry books just for the joy of it (I’m sorry to my parents if we actually did read lots of poetry books with pictures and I’ve forgotten them).
In recent years, I have tried to find more poetry books, read them to my kids, and teach them about different poets so they feel at ease with poetry.
So, with National Poetry Month (April) almost here, I thought it is the perfect time to talk about some great poetry books for children that we love. Moreover, if you know any good ones, I would be really happy to hear your suggestions.
13 Terrific Poetry Books for Kids
Tap Dancing on the Roof” by Linda Sue Park, with pictures by Istvan Banyai:
This book has poems known as sijo. A sijo is a Korean poem similar to a haiku or limerick, following a specific structure. What makes a sijo special is the unexpected ending in the last line. As a librarian teaching about poetry, this was one of the books I loved the most because it has many wonderful short poems and very funny pictures. I really suggest you read this book.
Firefly July: A Year of Very Short Poems” by Paul B. Janeczko, with illustrations by Melissa Sweet:
This book is a wonderful way to get to know poetry, as all the poems are very brief. It also makes me appreciate each season more. Moreover, as I mentioned before, I really enjoy Melissa Sweet’s artwork!
National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry,” edited by J. Patrick Lewis
It is a collection of 200 poems with amazing photos that make noises fly and roar. One Christmas, when all our presents were about animals, my family got this book, and everyone loved it. The pictures are stunning, and the poems include both well-known and new ones to me.
There is another great book about nature poetry by National Geographic that has over 200 poems with photos that seem to float, zoom, and bloom.
A Stick Is an Excellent Thing: Poems Celebrating Outdoor Play” by Marilyn Singer, with illustrations by LeUyen Pham:
This was the first poetry book that my kids truly enjoyed listening to as we read it aloud. We have read it countless times, and I have cherished hearing their sweet voices reciting their favourite parts throughout the house.
Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices” by Paul Fleischman:
This book received the Newbery Award in 1989. It contains poems about the natural world and insects, designed for two people to say aloud together. Once, during a homeschool year, we were each matched with another kid to learn a poem by heart. Even now, twenty years later, I can remember a lot of the poem “Being A Bee.” This book is great for learning poems with your child and saying them out loud together.
Poetry for Young People
The “Poetry for Young People” series, including the book on Maya Angelou by Edwin Graves Wilson with illustrations by Jerome Lagarrigue, is fantastic. I received one of these books as a child and still treasure it. Each book showcases well-known poems by a particular poet, paired with beautiful artwork by various artists, giving each book a distinct style.
There is also a great introduction to the poet at the start of each book. If you want to explore the works of some of the most celebrated poets, these children’s poetry books are a must-have.
The Random House Book of Poetry for Children,
Edited by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by Arnold Lobel, it is a fantastic collection. It includes 572 unforgettable poems and over 400 one-of-a-kind illustrations by the Caldecott-winning illustrator of the Frog and Toad series. This book is a perfect way to introduce children to the world of poetry. If you are searching for well-known and enjoyable poems, this one is a must-read.
A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams” by Jen Bryant, with pictures by Melissa Sweet
I’ve talked a lot about this book already, but it makes me want to find more picture books that tell the stories of well-known poets, as well as artists and writers.
“Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry
How to Write a Poem” by Jack Prelutsky is a delightful book. Not only does it feature Prelutsky’s funny poems, but it also shares what inspired them and provides ideas for writing your own poems. I read it aloud, one chapter per night, during dinner a few months ago, and my daughters found it hilarious.
Honestly, there were moments when I could barely stop laughing. When we covered poetry in our 4th and 5th grade classes, my students loved it, too.
“National Trust: Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright
An Animal Poem for Every Day of the Year” by Fiona Waters is a stunning collection of poems. I really admire Britta Teckentrup’s artwork in it. It’s a delightful mix of animal poems, with some familiar and some brand new. I keep this lovely book on our living room side table so we can enjoy it any time!
“My Daddy Rules the World: Poems about Dads” by Hope Anita Smith
It is a book you will find that many children’s poetry books are about familiar and beloved topics, like animals, which is why they are so appealing to kids. This charming book of dad-themed poems fits perfectly into the kind of subjects that kids can relate to. It is both heartwarming and humorous, making it a fantastic poetry book.
Some Questions
What is Poetry?
Poetry is a type of writing that uses beautiful or special words to share ideas, feelings, or stories. It can be short or long and sometimes rhymes.
Why Read Poetry to Kids?
Reading poetry to kids helps them learn new words, enjoy the sounds of language, and discover fun ways to express themselves.
What are Some Good Poetry Books for Kids?
Some good books are “Tap Dancing on the Roof,” which has Korean sijo poems with a twist at the end, and “Mirror Mirror,” which tells fairy tale stories in a clever way with the same words used backwards.
