As children grow older, they continue to enjoy the rhythms, rhymes, and imagery to be found in poetry. Here are a variety of children's poetry books, from collections of classics and contemporary poems to poems by Latino poets, concrete poems, and poems that celebrate nature. In addition to the children's poetry books, you will also find several children's books about writing poetry.
1. Classic Poetry: An Illustrated Collection
Older children will enjoy this appealing introduction to many well-known poets, including Shakespeare, Longfellow, Poe, Lear, Whitman, Dickinson, Stevenson, and Hughes, to name a few. "Classic Poetry" is a handsomely designed book that includes portraits and brief biographies of the poets. Paul Howard's art will add to your enjoyment of the poems selected by Michael Rosen. (ISBN 1564028909)
2. Love to Mamá
This joyous celebration of the love between mothers and children and grandchildren combines poems by 13 Latino writers with vivid artwork by Paula S. Barragán M. The reader is swept up in the love of Abuela (Grandmother), the richness of a home where both Spanish and English are spoken, and the color and lushness of experiences that come into children's lives in a loving family. (ISBN 1584300191)
3. Pieces: A Year in Poems & Quilts
Each of the 20 poems about nature by Anna Grossnickle Hines is illustrated by a delicate and beautiful miniature quilt she created. The visual imagery in her poetry is brilliantly captured in the accompanying quilts. This is an excellent book for all ages. I can see it being read and enjoyed again and again. Hines includes an interesting section on making the quilts at the end. (ISBN 0688169635)4. A Child's Calendar
The poetry of Pulitzer prize winner John Updike and the watercolors of Caldecott Medal winner Trina Schart Hyman provide a look at a family's year in rural New England. While the poetry celebrates the seasons, the artwork shows specific activities, such as making Valentines and going on a picnic. Children will enjoy poems and illustrations that reflect a child's viewpoint. (ISBN 0823414450)5. A Poke in the I
This collection of 30 concrete poems was edited by poet Paul B. Janeczko. Concrete poems can be one-word poems or poems with a number of words, but in every case, the words are arranged into a particular shape that reflects the poem's meaning. The quality of the poetry, the design of the book, and the witty collages by Chris Raschka create an enjoyable experience for the reader. (ISBN 0763606618)6. The 20th Century Children's Poetry Treasury
Well-known children's poet Jack Prelutsky did an excellent job in selecting the more than 200 poems by 137 poets in this collection. The joyous watercolors by Meilo So help to tie the poems, which are organized by theme, together. The subjects range from nature to siblings, school, and everyday life. This is a lively and interesting collection. (Alfred A. Knopf, 1999. ISBN: 0679893148)7. Winter Eyes
Douglas Florian's books include "Insectlopedia" and "Mammalabilia." "Winter Eyes" is a collection of 28 poems. There are humorous poems and simple poems that celebrate (or decry) the season, as well as a few concrete poems. The poems all express a child's view of winter. Florian's watercolor and colored pencil illustrations reinforce a child's perspective. (Greenwillow, 1999. ISBN: 0688164587)8. In Every Tiny Grain of Sand
Subtitled A Child's Book of Prayers and Praise, this is an unusual picture book in that it is divided into four sections, each with artwork by a different illustrator. The selections in the book are from a variety of authors, cultures, and religions. These encompass Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Native American, Muslim, Baha'i, Algerian, Buddhist, Celtic, African-American, and East African, among others and include quite a bit of poetry.9. Good Sports
Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children's Books
As the subtitle of Good Sports states, this children's poetry book by Jack Prelutsky contains rhymes about running, jumping, throwing and more. Through his poetry, Prelutsky celebrates winning and losing, playing well and not paying well, and enjoying a sport whether you are good at it or not.
