Poetry. It seems like one of those polarizing things that people either love or hate. However, wherever you fall on the spectrum, I feel that we can all agree that it has tremendous value. It is an amazing vehicle for expressing emotion, it teaches and plays with language like nothing else and can stretch your mind to new limits and perspectives. I have been a huge fan of poetry since I was a young child and wrote dozens of little poems growing up. This book list is one that features some wonderful picture books of poetry and even includes a couple from my very own childhood that I still have an treasure to this day.
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Catch the Sky: Playful Poems on the Air We Share by Robert Heidbreder and Emily Dove- Each page spread has a stunning illustration as well as a poem that features air. These poems talk about the importance of air, the recreation we enjoy with it and more. Love!
A Stick Is an Excellent Thing: Poems Celebrating Outdoor Play by LeUyen Pham- This is one of my personal favorites. Each of these poems celebrates outdoor play and is a great way to give your kids ideas for things they can do in the great outdoors.
Night Wishes by Lee Bennett Hopkins and Jen Corace- These calm and peaceful poems are perfect for helping children “wind down” at bedtime and prepare for sleep.
When Green Becomes Tomatoes: Poems for All Seasons by Julie Fogliano and Julie Morstad- I adore this book! Fogliano and Morstad are both personal favorites of mine and this book couldn’t be more lovely. The poems are categorized into seasons and are beautiful.
Hello, Earth!: Poems to Our Planet by Joyce Sidman and Miren Asiain Lora- These poems are lovely tributes to this beautiful planet that we call home and I love it. There is a lot of variety and the end of the book includes some resources for further learning about Earth.
Beautiful Day!: Petite Poems for All Seasons by Rodoula Pappa and Seng Soun Ratanavanh- These poems are short, sweet and positively delightful. Plus, the illustrations couldn’t be more beautiful. It’s a gem.
For Laughing Out Loud: Poems to Tickle Your Funnybone by Jack Prelutsky and Marjorie Priceman- This is one of my favorite poetry books from my childhood. Its silly and wacky and oodles of fun.
Vivid: Poems & Notes About Color by Julie Pashkis- These poems are dedicated to the many different hues of the rainbow. They will have you noticing and seeing color in a while new way.
A Songbird Dreams of Singing: Poems about Sleeping Animals by Kate Hosford and Jennifer M. Potter- Each of these poems features the characteristics of a different animal and how they sleep. It’s fascinating.
If I Had a Little Dream by Nina Laden and Melissa Castrillo- Every bit of this book is gorgeous from the elaborate illustrations to the gorgeous text. It is written lyrically through many small stanzas that celebrate dreams as well as the everyday.
I have a free printable and poetry writing activity that I paired with this book! You can find it in THIS POST.
The Classic Treasury of Children’s Poetry by Louise Betts (Editor), Louise Betts Ega, Richard Bernal, Mark Corcoran, Debbie Dieneman, Gary Gianni, John Steven Gurney, Barbara Lanza, T. Lewis, Michael Montgomery, Robyn Officer, Karen Pritchett, Jim Robinson and Jada Rowland- Another favorite poetry book from my childhood. I love how large this book is and the dreamy illustrations. It has a lot of “classic” poetry and is lovely.
Firefly July: A Year of Very Short Poems by Paul B. Janeczko and Melissa Sweet- This collection of poetry features short poems that are categorized into the seasons of the year. The illustrations and poetry have a timeless and traditional feel to me and I love that it features many different poets.
Under the Silver Moon: Lullabies, Night Songs & Poems by Pamela Dalton- A collection of poetry that is perfect for bedtime and features lots of lovely classics that every child should know. The illustrations have a timeless feel to them and are wonderful.
The Poet of Piney Woods by Bob Raczka, Kristen Howdeshell and Kevin Howdeshell- This is a bonus title! It isn’t a book of poetry (though it does include a few, short poems) but rather is a book about a misunderstood poet in a community of animals and how he helps them realize that prejudging others isn’t the kindest. We love it.
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