Poetry is a wonderful invitation to enjoy the magic of the written word. Poetry brings to the reader many wonderful words, phrases and rhymes that will make one laugh, sing, cry and appreciate our written language. Many younger children are first engaged in beginning reading through nursery rhymes. The repetition and easy phrasing help make these rhymes easy to memorize and to understand. As children grow older, so does their appreciation of the many different formats for poetry. However, a child may not necessarily pick up a poetry book to read, unless there's an assignment at school. Nevertheless, every home should have at least one poetry book on the shelf.
And, a book that will be picked up time and time again is any of Shel Silverstein's books. Mr. Silverstein was an innovative writer of poems about the funny, and sometimes irreverent, experiences of childhood. He brought poetry to the interest level of children. Additionally, his simple illustrations make his poetry even funnier. I think his first book is perhaps his best. But, any of his poetry books are great possessions to have in your home. Sadly, his recent death has marked the passing of a true poetic genius. Another favorite poet is Jack Prelutsky, and of course, one of the very best poets for young children is Dr. Seuss. I have several more favorite poets, as well as favorite poetry books that are listed below. Suffice it to say that if a child can grasp the beauty and majesty of poetry, they've found an outlet for their creativity and emotions.
The following poetry books are highly recommended:
Shel Silverstein
-
"Where the
Sidewalk Ends" [his first book]
"Falling
Up"
"A Light in
the Attic"
Jack Prelutsky
-
"The New Kid
on the Block" [illustrated by Stevenson]
"A Pizza the
Size of the Sun"
"Something
Big Has Been Here" [illustrated by Stevenson]
"The Beauty
of the Beast" [illustrated by Meilo So]
"The Dragons
are Sleeping" [illustrated by Peter Sis]
"Ride A
Purple Pelican" [illustrated by Williams]
"Dinosaur
Dinner" [illustrated by Dennis Lee]
Jeff Moss
-
"The
Butterfly Jar" [illustrated by Demarest]
"Bone
Poem's"
Giles Andreae
-
"Commotion in
the Ocean" [illustrated by David Wojtoungcz]
David Greenberg -
"Bugs"
[illustrated by Lynn Munsinger]
John Ciardi
-
"Doodle
Soup" [illustrated by Merle Nacht]
Ginger Lea Becker
-
"Float by a
Star in a Grape Jelly Jar"
Several additional books that are compilations of some of the best children's poems are:
"The Random House Book of Poetry for
Children"
selected by Jack
Prelutsky
illustrated by
Lobel
"The Usborne Book of Funny Poems"
illustrated by
Stephen Cartwright
"Sing a Song of Popcorn: Every Child's
Book of Poems"
selected by
Schenkde Regniers
illustrated by
Caldecott medallists
"Favorite Poems, Old and New"
selected by Ferris
illustrated by
Weisgard
"Talking in the Rain, A First Book of
Poems"
selected by X. J.
Kennedy and Dorothy Kennedy
illustrated by
Dyer