Poetry Books to Share with Young Readers

Poetry Books to Share with Young Readers

Here at Better Reading Kids we love the magic that is shared by reading aloud, and there is something special about children’s poetry.

To celebrate World Poetry Day on March 21, we put together a list of some wonderful poems and poetry books to enjoy with little ones – just don’t get your tongue too twisted!

It is hard to go past the classics. A.A. Milne, creator of Winnie-the-Pooh, also wrote several collections of verse for his son, Christopher Robin, including our favourite, When We Were Very Young. The poems are so lilting and lovely to say that some were even turned into songs! Another writer whose poems are very fun to read for entirely different reasons is Roald Dahl, and his book Revolting Rhymes. These are all familiar fairytales told in rhyme and with a typical darkly humorous Dahl twist.

Then there’s the American classic Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, a fanciful collection that has been loved by children (and teachers) the world over. T.S. Eliot is mainly known for his adult poetry, but he also wrote Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats for kids, which will appeal to any young cat fan – if the names Rum Tum Tugger, Mr Mistoffelees and Skimbleshanks ring a bell, that’s because this book is the basis for the musical Cats!

If you’ve got a Julia Donaldson fan, they’ll love Crazy Mayonnaisy Mum (even the title is great to say). More of her trademark fun to be had, this time as poems. Or how about Never Nudge a Budgie by Colin West, page of page of utter rhyming nonsense. Or curl up in a good chair with A Great Big Cuddle by Michael Rosen, reading these rhymes aloud is sure to bring a smile to your face, and cuddles for all.

For Australian poetry for kids, there’s The ABC Book of Australian Poetry, edited by Libby Hathorn, it includes poems by .B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson, Dorothea Mackellar, Steven Herrick, Les A. Murray and many more.

Which is your favourite poem to read? Let us know in the comments!

 

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