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Poetry
to Inspire Your Children
By Holly E. Newton
It’s National Poetry Month, and
here is a list of the best and newest books that will dance with
rhythm, or express with eloquence, from the placement of words.
This first book is so beautifully written
that I’m grateful the author used her carefully selected and
spaced words in free verse. Reaching for Sun,
by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer, is a story told through the protagonist’s
viewpoint. Josie is a 7th grader with a disability — cerebral
palsy. She feels as if no one notices or cares about her at school;
but once she gets home her life becomes much happier. At home she
is surrounded by the beauty of her garden, her Gran and her mother.
The story begins with winter break
and progresses through the seasons. The little girl grows and matures
and becomes much happier as she finds a true friend. The true beauty
of this book lies in the simple, yet powerful, placement of words.
You begin to feel the strength of self-worth grow inside this young
girl at the turn of each page, so that by the end you know she’s
going to do well in life.
Along with the similes and comparisons
to nature throughout the book, don’t miss the subtle tiny
flower that begins to grow and eventually opens its pedals located
on every page on the lower right side. This book will be enjoyed
and appreciated by ages 9 through adult.
Click to Buy
 If
you could only have one poetry book that celebrates the seasons
and holidays, Holiday Stew: A
Kid’s Portion of Holiday and Seasonal Poems,
by Jenny Whitehead, would be the book to have. The author has a
talent for expressing fun and funny poems that will surely delight
children. The wonderful blend of her art, alongside of her poems,
is the perfect combination for a yummy aside of delectable poems!
Children can really relate to poetry
with animals as the subject. Mites to Mastodons: A Book
of Animal Poems, by award winner Maxine Kumin, and
brightly illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski, begins with a poem about
the tinniest of animals, “Mites”. Each page features
an animal that’s just a bit bigger than the last and ultimately
ending with the giant mastodon.
Click to Buy
 A
new edition of 5 of the famous Margaret Wise Brown has just been
reissued and beautifully painted by Wendell Minor. Nibble
Nibble begs to be read aloud as Brown has written
five fun and endearing poems about rabbits, mice and even fish geared
especially for toddlers through 6 years old.
Click to Buy
 Children
have an innate curiosity about amphibians. Toad by the
Road: A Year in the Life of These Amazing Amphibians,
by Joanne Ryder, will captivate and educate your 6- through 10-year-old.
The realistic watercolors, by Maggie Kneen, will only add to the
learning curve about these critters.
When Gorilla Goes Walking,
by Nikki Grimes, and with vivid pictures by Shane Evans, is a picture
book of poems all centered around the rambunctious and pampered
pet cat, Gorilla. And the perfect culmination of poems about animals
with an assortment of poets is Animal Friends: A Collection
of Poems for Children. Michael Hague has captured
the novelty of childhood and the love of animals in each of these
20 poems he’s illustrated.
Now for two heartwarming poetry books
that you’ll most likely want to hand down from generation
to generation. Rhymes for Annie Rose,
written and illustrated by the talented Shirley Hughes, is a celebration
of childhood. Hughes has captured the loving and endearing friendship
of youngster Annie and her big brother, Alphie, as they go about
their days together. If the charming poems don’t bring a smile
to your face, the adorable illustrations will!
Who ever thought to write a book of
poems about apologizing? Joyce Sidman did! This is Just
to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness, is full
of fun, funny and touching poems that will lighten the heart and
linger long enough to say you’re sorry! The clever collage
of illustrations, by Pamela Zagarenski, goes perfectly with the
poems.
Click to Buy
 Here
are two poetry books that are fun and very funny and both are by
my very favorite poets! If you’re not familiar with Alan Katz
and David Catrow, you’ve not sung along with their other poetry
books (and believe me, you are really missing out here!) Their newest
edition is Are You Quite Polite? Silly Dilly Manners
Songs — which is hilarious and begs to be sung.
They’ve conveniently placed the familiar tune they’ve
written their poem to go along with. For instance, try singing “Don’t
Chew Gum in the Classroom” to the tune of “Take Me Out
to the Ball Game,” and see if your family doesn’t laugh
out loud before finishing it!
Click to Buy
And the master of poems, Jack Prelutsky, has just written one of
his cleverest books, Behold the Bold Umbrellephant.
He’s managed to make inanimate objects become real, like the
“The Ball Point Penguins” and “The Lynx of Chains.”
Carin Berger perfectly illustrated these imaginary beasts!
Click to Buy
 And
finally, one poetry book that is packed with many poems and collected
by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters: Here’s
a Little Poem: A Very First Book Of Poetry. This collection
is perfect for ages 4 through 8 because the text is large and the
poems are beautifully simple! The illustrations, by Polly Dunbar,
are also bright and vibrant!
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Meridian Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
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