M E R I D I A N     M A G A Z I N E

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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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