Poetry is a way to be expressive in creative ways. Here are a variety of the best poetry books for kids.
The Best Poetry Books for Kids
Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman
This truly unique collection celebrates nature and the simplicity of the outdoors. It is meant to be read aloud with the voices of two children.
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
Simultaneously humorous and profound, this collection by famed children’s poet Shel Silverstein is a classic favorite. Here readers will discover a boy who turns into a TV, a girl who faithfully washes her shadow, and a crocodile committed to his annual teeth cleaning appointments at the dentist.
Falling Up by Shel Silverstein
A collection of 144 quirky and thought-provoking poems. Illustrated by the author in simple black and white.
Runny Babbit by Shel Silverstein
A spoonerism occurs when someone accidentally transposes the first sounds of two words, resulting in hilarious combinations (like the title of this collection). This storybook-poem will endear readers with its humor and its sweet title character, Runny, a rabbit who only speaks in spoonerisms.
Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl
This poetry book by Roald Dahl delivers all the humor we have come to expect from the beloved children’s author–in verse. Here Dahl re-imagines six folktales and turns them into engaging masterpieces.
Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reverso Poems by Marilyn Singer
If your child enjoys riddles and puzzles, this poetry book sure to delight! The poems in this book are creative reinventions of classic and familiar tales like Cinderella and the Ugly Duckling. The twist comes after you read the poem the traditional way. Read it again from the bottom up, and watch as the story takes a completely new shape!
The Ice Cream Store by Dennis Lee
This light-hearted collection is the perfect introduction to poetry for young readers. Whimsical and bright, these poems range from silly, to laugh-out-loud, to delightfully confusing. Brilliant illustrations further fuel the imagination.
A Pizza the Size of the Sun by Jack Prelutsky
Clever alliteration makes this collection of poems one that readers will want to return to time after time. In this book you will meet Miss Misinformation, Swami Gourami, Gladiola Gloppe and many other quirky characters!
It’s Raining Pigs and Noodles by Jack Prelutsky
A collection of more than 100 zany and comical poems that are sure to delight readers of all ages. Prunes and parrots drop out of the clouds following pigs and noodles, and it’s clear the fun has just begun!
Be Glad Your Nose is On Your Face by Jack Prelutsky
In this humorous collection, Prelutsky examines an interesting idea: “imagine if your precious nose were sandwiched in between your toes”. By the end, you too will be glad your nose is on your face.
Calling all animal lovers! This giant collection of poetry crafted by some of the classic masters is brought to life with jump-off-the-page text and colorful, full-page photographs. Features the beautiful animal-themed poetry of Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, and Rudyard Kipling.
We just read Gone Fishing by Tamera Will Wissinger. A novel in verse- but mainly rhyming verse. She also wrote Gone Camping. Fabulous!
Moo is next on our list.