
OUT OF THE BEST BOOKS
Poetry
If you are unsure of how to teach and enjoy poetry, be sure to check out the second issue of Seek Learning Magazine: Endlessly Creative. These books have been split into four categories: compilations, biographies, poets, and single poems. A Compilation will include poems from many poets, on a variety of topics. A single poet’s book will include poetry from only that author, and single poems are usually illustrated picture books accompanied by the words of a poem.
Even if you are uncomfortable or unfamiliar with poetry, we encourage you to read poetry aloud with your family. We promise- there's nothing special you need to do. Just read.
COMPILATIONS
The Random House Book of Poetry for Children, by Jack Prelutsky
The Book of a Thousand Poems: Classic Collection for Children, by J.Murray MacBain
Norton Anthology of Poetry, by Margaret Ferguson Ph.D., Tim Kendall, Mary Jo Salter
Expensive online, but can often be found at thrift stores
Talking Like the Rain: A Read-to-Me Book of Poems, by X. J. Kennedy, Dorothy M Kennedy
Poems to Learn by Heart, by Caroline Kennedy
Poetry for the Well-Educated Heart, by Marlene Peterson
The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies, by Cicely Mary Barker
BIOGRAPHIES
Cool Melons - Turn to Frogs! : The Life and Poems of Issa, by Matthew Gollub
Emily, Michael Bedard
Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People, by Monica Brown
Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave, by Laban Carrick Hill
A River of Words : The Story of William Carlos Williams, by Jen Bryant
Phyllis Wheatley Sings Out Freedom, by Ann Malaspina
Papa Is a Poet: A Story About Robert Frost, by Natalie S. Bober
Enormous Smallness: A Story of E. E. Cummings, by Matthew Burgess
16 Words: William Carlos Williams and “The Red Wheelbarrow”, by Lisa Rogers
SINGLE-POET BOOKS
One-Two-Three Mother Goose, by Iona Opie
A Board book for babies
Richard Scarry's Best Mother Goose Ever, by Richard Scarry
an excellent comprehensive Mother Goose, although any MG is fine
Utter Nonsense: Collected Poems of Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear
A Child's Garden of Verses, by Robert Louis Stevenson
Where the Sidewalk Ends, by Shel Silverstein
Shel Silverstein has many fun poetry books. Poetry does not need to be serious to be valuable .
When We Were Very Young and Now We are Six, by A. A. Milne
Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts, by Roald Dahl
Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature, by Nicola Davies
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers, by Fred Rogers
SINGLE ILLUSTRATED POEMS
When I heard the learn'd astronomer, by Walt Whitman and Loren Long
The Negro Speaks of Rivers, by Langston Hughes
Hiawatha, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Paul Revere’s Ride, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
That Is My Dream!, by Langston Hughes
Jabberwocky, by Lewis Carroll
I, Too, Am America, by Langston Hughes
Life Doesn't Frighten Me At All, by Maya Angelou
Imagine, by Juan Felipe Herrera
I Carry Your Heart with Me, by E.E. Cummings