Poetry Books
These are my favorite poetry books - they’re perfect to add to any morning basket whether you’re learning about classic poetry or simply want a whimsical way to start the day!
There are poems about anything from colors and nature to books and buildings, so there’s something for every kid!
You can purchase them from either Amazon or Bookshop.org, which supports independent bookstores!
Make sure to read my reviews before you buy!
I do make a small commission from the books on this page, at no additional cost to you!
The Pet Project by Lisa Wheeler illustrated by Zachariah Ohora
This adorable book is all about a little girl deciding what pet to get. (As she’s trying to convince her parents to get her one!) She writes poems about every animal from tigers to penguins to goldfish!
The Pet Project is one of my favorite poetry books on this page - it’s so silly and would make the PURRFECT read-aloud for reluctant poets <3
Poetry for Kids Series
This series would be a great gift for any aspiring poet! The illustrations are always gorgeous and accompany the classic poems beautifully.
There are books highlighting poets from Emily Dickinson to William Shakespeare, so you’re sure to find one to enjoy! I’ve linked all of the different books here for you to choose from. (Amazon and Bookshop.org options.)
‘ poetry for kids’ series
A Songbird Dreams of Singing by Kate Hosford and Jennifer M. Potter
This sweet book is about sleeping animals, from otters to giraffes. The illustrations are adorable and complement the soothing tone of the poems.
A Songbird Dreams of Singing isn’t just a poetry book - it’s also educational! After each poem there’s a paragraph talking about the nighttime activities of the animal you just read about.
Sing a Song of Seasons by Fiona Waters and Frann Preston-Gannon
This gorgeous poetry anthology has a nature poem for every day of the year. You can discover new poets and rediscover old favorites as you read through the different verses.
I love the illustrations! They’re so whimsical and the little creatures are adorable!
Poetry Tea Time Series
Christine Owens has a collection of poetry books for all occasions. This one pictured has a poem to read for each day, while some of her other ones are seasonal or themed for things like adventure and patriotic holidays.
I’m published in two of these books so far! I have poems in the spring and summer editions along with a few of my friends’ poems!
I’ve linked the different editions for you to shop through. (Poetry in Autumn is coming soon!)
‘ poetry tea time’ series
Nat Geo Book of Nature Poetry
A companion to the Nat Geo Book of Animal Poetry, this outdoorsy poetry compendium also has 200+ poems and gorgeous photographs.
Modern poems and classic ones are mixed together for a beautiful combination of rhythm and rhyme!
When Green Becomes Tomatoes by Julie Fogliano and Julie Morstad
This whimsical poetry collection is perfect to read with your kids throughout the year as the seasons tumble into one another.
Each poem is about a simple yet beautiful aspect of nature, from slow-growing tomatoes to sparkly fresh snowfall.
The Illustrated Poets Collection
These poetry collections are absolutely GORGEOUS. The collaged illustrations are elegant and match the tone of the poems so well!
I highly encourage you to check out Bushel and Peck Books’ website that I’ve linked below. They have so many of beautiful, educational books covering so many different subjects. They’re one of my mom’s go-tos for homeschooling <3
Vivid; Poems and Notes About Color by Julie Paschkis
This is one of the first poetry books I got from the library when I started homeschooling and my mom and I loved it so much that we bought it!
I love how Vivid doesn’t just have poems but also includes notes on each color, talking about how each one was named and other fun facts.
If you have a budding artist, this is a wonderful poetry book to start with!
BOOKSHOP
AMAZON
A Stick is an Excellent Thing by Marilyn Singer and LeUyen Pham
These whimsical outdoor poems transport you right back to when you were a kid frolicking with friends on the sidewalk on a summer’s day.
The rhythms are bouncy and make the poems perfect read-alouds! LeUyen Pham is one of my favorite illustrators - her art is so full of joy!
Nat Geo Book of Animal Poetry
Not only does this book include two hundred silly and scaly poems about animals, but it also has STUNNING photographs of each animal.
This would be the perfect book to pair with your zoology studies with your little one, or a great gift for any budding animal lover <3
The Lost Spells by Robert MacFarlane and Jackie Morris
Most of these poems are animal-themed acrostics, while the others are focused on snapshots of nature and characteristics of critters. I would honestly recommend this book for any age <3
Every page has breathtakingly detailed watercolor paintings depicting the poems’ subjects. Even the endpapers are gorgeous!
‘ illustrated poets’ books
AMAZON
BOOKSHOP
Wet Cement - A Mix of Concrete Poems by Bob Raczka
Wet Cement is a creative poetry books where each of the poems look like their subject! For example, a the words in a poem called ‘autumn’ are arranged in the shape of a tree branch!
The poems are simple but say so much in so few words. This is a great book to start your poetry journey with <3
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For more beautiful book reviews, check out my other book lists, here!
I hope my recommendations made poetry-picking a bit easier for you. See you soon! - Charlotte