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What is Poetry For?Laurie's Favorite Poetry Books for Children In today's hectic world, one might ask: Why should I read poetry? Or teach it, or write it? Will it help me to pass a test, get a job, earn a living? Perhaps the more urgent question is quite the reverse. Are we ignoring the highest levels of artistic expression and forsaking them for the mundane? Are we denying ourselves something that is crucial for our souls? Poetry has been admired throughout the ages, and yet it seems to have a deep, almost unexplainable purpose. Perhaps this is true because poetry is often used to express the unexplainable, the most mysterious thoughts, our deepest personal truths. Joseph Campbell said, "Poetry involves a precise choice of words that will have implications and suggestions that go past the words themselves. ... It's been said that poetry consists of letting the word be heard beyond words." (The Power of Myth I like to begin a lifelong writer's journey with poetry. It is accessible to the very youngest among us. A few words, even one word artfully expressed, can make a lovely poem. A happy accident of an unlikely pairing of words can be an amusing nonsense poem. In poetry, children can find mystery and delight. And yet poetry is also the most elegant way we have of expressing ourselves in language. While it may be easy to write a simple poem, it is challenging to write a complex and meaningful one. Poetry is both the place where we can begin, and the place that we can aspire to. It is the art of song, of religious chants, and popular phrases that ring in our consciousness. It is the stringing together of words that stirs the soul. Laurie's Favorite Poetry Books for ChildrenI have been teaching poetry to children for most of my life. It was one of my first loves. Parents often ask for the titles of my favorite books of poetry for children. Every season is ideal for poetry, but summer and spring might be best, because we can go outside to read and write, feel the breeze on our skin, and delight in the senses. We always find inspiration in nature. Read a few poems, enjoy the day, and soon you will be moved to write one yourself! |
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by Kenneth Koch and Kate Farrell.
The poems, from all over the world, are illustrated with art from the Metropolitan Museum. This is such a beautiful book that adults enjoy it as much as children.
, by Michael Rosen.
This beautifully illustrated collection does not pander to children,
as many of the poems were originally written for adults.
There are short biographies of the poets included in this excellent anthology.
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and A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms
, both by Paul Janeczko, are a vivid and whimsical introduction to a wide variety of poetic forms.
, by Edward Lear, beautifully illustrated by Jan Brett.
The poet Edward Lear was a favorite of mine when I was a young girl.
He wrote nonsense limericks, and marvelous, fanciful ballads,
including "The Owl and the Pussycat," and "The Jumblies." 
, by award-winning author Sharon Creech.
This is a lovely children's book with a handful of wonderful poems.
If you like this one, you'll enjoy the sequel, Hate That Cat
, by Sharon Creech.
, by T. S. Eliot,
is a must for every parent's bookshelf. Introduce your child to one of the most important English-language poets of the 20th century by reading his whimsical rhymes about his favorite creature: cats. These poems became the lyrics for the musical Cats, so you can listen to them as songs too.
, by John Grandits
, by Robin HirschThese books are useful tools for every young poet and author:
, by Joseph Campbell)