Celebrate National Poetry Month with Children

April is National Poetry Month and it is the perfect time to introduce (or reintroduce) your child to poetry. Children’s poetry is similar to poetry for adults, except that it attempts to observe life in a manner that will resonate with children. A great deal of children’s poetry is intended to be shared orally and encourages participation. You can find shelf upon shelf of poetry in the Children’s Services Department. There is something for every age group and a wide array of subject matter ranging from the absurdly hilarious to serious reflection. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Anthologies:
A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children edited by Caroline Kennedy
A Poke in the I: A Collection of Concrete Poems edited by Paul B. Janeczko
Here’s A Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry selected by Jane Yolen
Poetry Speaks to Children edited by Elise Paschen
The 20th Century Children’s Poetry Treasury selected by Jack Prelutsky

Collections by Individual Authors:
Almost Late to School and More School Poems by Carol Diggory Shields
Casey at the Bat by Ernest L. Thayer
Ellington Was Not a Street by Ntozake Shange
Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex
Handsprings by Douglas Florian
If Not For the Cat: Haiku by Jack Prelutsky
Moon, Have You Met My Mother? by Karla Kuskin
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You edited by Mary Ann Hoberman

To find these books of poetry along with many more, stop in to any of the Heights Libraries and ask a librarian for help! For more information about sharing poetry with children, visit The Children’s Book Council at www.cbcbooks.org.

Ridiculous Rose

Her mama said, “Don’t eat with your fingers.”

“OK,” said Ridiculous Rose,

So she ate with her toes!

Shel Silverstein

Where the Sidewalk Ends

Michael Is Afraid Of The Storm

Lightning is angry in the night.

Thunder spanks our house.

Rain is hating our old elm—

It punishes the boughs.

Now, I am next to nine years old,

And crying’s not for me.

But if I touch my mother’s hand,

Perhaps no one will see.

And if I keep herself in sight—

Follow her busy dress—

No one will notice my wild eye.

No one will laugh, I guess.

Gwendolyn Brooks

A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children

edited by Caroline Kennedy