10 Poetry Books for Children

There are countless poetry books for children. These 10 books are comprised of classic and newer books, which will encourage a child to begin to love poetry.

Poetry has a wide and ever growing variety of styles. It can cover every aspect of the world around us and within us. To catch a child's attention and imagination, poetry has to appeal to a child at their own level. These 10 poetry books for children range from the very simple, to some with wonderful imagery and phrasing. They will definitely catch the imagination of a child. Each child will find favourites among the 10 poetry books for children listed here.

Humour is used in many of these poems. The poems touch on many different subjects. They range from bugs and rain, imagination, simple objects in everyday life, to internal feelings or emotions. These are best when read aloud. Many of the poems take on a completely different feel when read aloud. Poetry, like music, has the power to evoke feelings and reactions. Do not just read them statically. Read them with animation, and children will be mesmerized. They may even be inspired to create something of their own.

The Real Mother Goose

This book of children's poetry was first printed in 1916. It still has humour and verbal colour
that appeals to children. Some of these poems have become so well known outside of the original book that many do not realize their source. The poetry carries a slice of history in a different time. There are riddles and social commentary, all in child friendly poetry form.

A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Lois Stevenson is best known for classics like "Kidnapped", "Treasure Island" and "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". This Scottish born travel writer and novelist was also, not surprisingly, a poet.

A Child's Garden of Verses was published in 1885. The poems are written as if they were from a child's view of the world. They include the simple four line "Happy Thought", "The Swing" which speaks of the pure joy of riding on a swing, and "Where Go the Boats?" about sailing toy boats and imagining where they will end up. Parents like these poems too, as they are a reminder of the simple wonder of childhood.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, Illustrated by Ckement Hurd

This is a poetic short story, about tucking a bunny into bed. It goes into light detail about the items surrounding the bunny in its room. Millions of children love this poetic book. It has been made into pop up books and hard cardboard books that little hands can hold. The simple illustrations, in bright colours, add to the charm of the book. There is something comforting in this bedtime poem. It evokes feelings of safety and soothing surroundings. It is a great little poem to signal sleep time for children.

Now We Are Six by A. A. Milne, Illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard

Winnie the Pooh is featured in some of these poems and Illustrations. Milne shows great humour and understanding in how he approaches the world of a child. Read "Forgiven" about a loved pet beetle mistakenly let loose by the nanny. The poems range from the lengthier "King John's Christmas" about a selfish, reclusive king, who is wishing with all his might for a red india-rubber ball from Father Christmas, to simple thoughts that might enter s child's head. Like "A Thought". The poem simply expresses the thought from a child, wondering for a moment, what it might be like if he and another boy became each other. This poetry book for children, touches on the simplistic and creative world of a child with gems like, "Waiting at the Window", about a little boy watching two raindrops race each other down the windowpane. The humour in the poems appeal to adults as well.

Insectlopedia by Douglas Florian, Illustrated by Douglas Florian

This creative book, with interesting modern illustrations, brings the world of insects into poetry form. It proves that poetry can indeed touch on any subject in the world around us. This is a more recent children's poetry book, printed in 1998. The poems are short but filled with tidbits and humorous observations about the insects. Each insect is also featured in an accompanying and interesting illustration. Some of the poems are written in a form that reflects the creature itself, like the circular poem "The Whirligig Beetles" or the tower like "The Termites".

Shirley Temple's Favorite Poems, by various authors, Illustrated by Binnie Brueggman

This may be a more difficult book to find, but it is still available if you look around. It was originally published in 1936 at the height of Shirley Temple mania. Her name has been linked to other books, but this compilation of assorted author's poetry gives a nice variety for children, from different sources. They include old favourites like "The Duel" by Eugene Field, which tells the story of a battle between a gingham dog and a calico cat, or Ffrida Wolfe's "Choosing Shoes", a poem about choosing a new pair of shoes that a parent will approve of.

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans, Illustrated by Ludwig Bemelmans

This story about a young girl's antics, in a boarding school in Paris is done in poetry form. It was originally published in 1939. The poem became a Caldecott Honor award winner. It has been turned into an animated series, dolls and a plethora of marketing, but the charm remains in the original book. Children seem to like anticipating what words or lines are coming next in this poem, even if it has been read to them many times.

The Frog Wore Red Suspenders by Jack Prelutsky, Illustrated by Petra Mathers

This brightly illustrated book of children's poetry features many poems that touch on humorous and unexpected events. Some of these will definitely make a child laugh. Many of the poems feature the name of a real city in the United States, but with a funny twist. They include poems like "One Day in Seattle"which talks about watching the water and creatures of the sound, while standing in the pouring rain.

The Sneetches and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss, Illustrated by Dr. Seuss.

Dr. Seuss did many of his stories in poetry form. He created characters and words that did not even exist in real life, yet they often take on a whole life of their own. The power of his message filled works and the uniqueness of his style and illustrations, has captured the imagination of old and young alike. He found interesting ways to rhyme with the creation of new words and beings. They come to life in his many colourful stories.

Dr. Seuss's prolific library of works, give a reader many from which to choose. The Sneetches poem itself, gives the message of acceptance, tolerance and understanding.

Poetry for Young People, by Emily Dickinson, Edited by Frances Schoonmaker Bolin and Illustrated by Chi Chung.

The reclusive Emily Dickinson is one of the best-known poet's in The United States. Emily Dickinson wrote in the 19th century. Dickenson's work was often heavily edited. The depth of her work was not fully realized until after her death. She did not have many of her pieces published during her life. This book, published in 1994, includes an informative introduction about the poet herself. Every page is illustrated in a delicate style. Dickenson's book of poetry is for the older child and adult. Some pieces include explanations of words or terms used in the poems. The titles of each poem are not included on the pages, but rather listed in the contents at the beginning of the book. Dickenson wrote much of her poetry without titles. This makes the reader and the listener think about the words and content of the poem itself, instead of relying on the title to point out the meaning within the poem.

These 10 books of poetry for children, are just a sample of what is available in the published world. They are good examples to use for teaching a child how poetry is used to express the world around us and in us. They inspire and entertain the creativity and wonder in a child's mind. Poetry is a living, breathing form of expression.