Celebrate National Poetry Month with These Kids Books

Share the joy of poems early with your little ones!

April 12, 2022

By: Hadiya Presswood

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Photo By: skaman306

Fun Rhymes for Poetry Month

Reading is a great activity to encourage in your child and cuddling up next to them to read to them can be a great way to spend time together. April is national poetry month, celebrating the wonders of verse. Poetry can be quite complex, so we found these children’s books full of simple, imaginative, and fun poems and lyrical verse to read to your little ones.

How to Catch a Mermaid

This poem tells the story of two kids who are determined to catch and befriend an elusive mermaid. They use a few tricks and traps, but are repeatedly outsmarted. Will their undersea adventure be successful?

BUY IT: Amazon, $5.23

The Lorax

Dr. Seuss, known for his whimsical fantasy worlds and rhymes, delivers the story of the Once-ler, the Lorax, and Truffula Trees. This is a great story for your nature-inclined child, and you can even watch the movie together after reading the book.

BUY IT: Amazon, $7.00

The Boy with Big, Big Feelings

This is a good pick for young kids who are learning how to experience and process their emotions. This poetic story helps children identify some ways to express themselves and what different emotions mean.

BUY IT: Amazon, $12.29

Every Thing on It

Shel Silverstein is known for nonsense, light-hearted poems, and this collection is no different. Children will giggle at his funny and honest descriptions of life and feelings.

BUY IT: Barnes & Noble, $17.99

Chester van Chime Who Forgot How to Rhyme

Chester is known for his rhyming skills, but one day he loses his ability. Just like Chester’s friends, you and your child can try to help him get back to feeling like himself. As a bonus, there are rhymes hidden throughout the book’s illustrations for more fun.

BUY IT: Barnes & Noble, $17.99

My Village: Rhymes From Around the World

This book contains nursery rhymes from different parts of the world. They are written in English and in the original language of the region they come from. The different languages and bright pictures are an intriguing introduction to poetry and global cultures.

BUY IT: AbeBooks, $13.56

Yard Art: A Collection of Children's Poetry

This collection of illustrated poems invites children to take time to read through, just as if they encountered an art exhibit in someone’s front yard. The collection of original poems are sure to spark curiosity and encourage kids to explore.

BUY IT: Amazon, $11.99

It’s Raining Pigs and Noodles

Jack Prelutsky was the Poetry Foundation’s first Children's Poet Laureate, so he knows a thing or two about imaginative poems for children. In his collection there are sure to be selections to make your kids laugh and read again and again.

BUY IT: Amazon, $9.99

Read-Aloud Poems for Young People: Readings from the World's Best Loved Verses

Introduce your child early to famous poets such as Maya Angelou, Emily Bronte, Edgar Allan Poe, and Walt Whitman, amongst others. They’ll get to hear selections tailored to their level of understanding that may spark a love of poetry in them.

BUY IT: Thrift Books, $5.29

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers

Mister Rogers, beloved on-screen neighbor, takes his friendly demeanor to print. This book brightly illustrates the poems that made him one of our most famous friends. If you grew up watching him, then this book will likely be a treat for you, too!

BUY IT: Amazon, $7.08

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Parents Who Read to Their Toddlers Are Less Likely to Yell, Study Says, 10 Classic Children's Books Every Parent Should Add to Their Family Library, 10 Bilingual Books Your Preschooler Will Love

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