Best Poetry Books for Children

The Jabberwock

Poetry is one of the most fun ways to introduce your children to reading. Simple rhymes with silly or funny content can really engage children and make them want to read or be read to more. Over the years, numerous books of children's poetry have been published. Some are fantastic. Some are nothing short of boring and others are too fluffy and sugarcoated for modern children. The following are the best that I have ever read.

"The Random House Book of Poetry for Children" poems selected by Jack Prelutsky

"The Random House Book of Poetry for Children" is a collection of poems for children by many different authors. Some of these poems are obscure. You may have never heard of them before. However, there are also some very familiar poems, such as "The Jabberwocky." This was the first poetry book that I ever gave to my stepson. He is eight-years-old now (this was written many years ago) and has nearly twenty poetry anthologies. He still reads this one regularly. I know. I find it next to his bed in the morning at least once a month.

"Where the Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein

"Where the Sidewalk Ends" is a collection of poems by the extremely talented Shel Silverstein. Some of these poems are nonsensical, some are silly, and some are serious. I have yet to meet a child who does not like at least one of them. This collection was around when I was a child and it is still enjoyed by children today.

"A Light in the Attic" by Shel Silverstein

"A Light in the Attic" is another very popular collection by Shel Silverstein. It is very similar to "Where the Sidewalk Ends," but slightly less popular, at least with today's children. That is not saying much, as both have sold millions of copies.

"The 20th Century Children's Poetry Treasury" poems selected by Jack Prelutsky

"The 20th Century Children's Poetry Treasury" is yet another brilliant collection by Jack Prelutsky. In this anthology, Jack puts together poems from every decade of the 20th century. It is actually a rather clever way of doing it, as there is something for every taste and every age group. Grandparents and parents reading this book to the children in their lives may spot something that was read to them during their own childhoods.

These four books will introduce your children into the world of poets' imaginations. They will beware the Jabberwocky. They will walk with a walk that is measured and slow to where the sidewalk ends. In addition, much to your chagrin and their delight, they will learn how not to have to dry the dishes.

Please feel free to share your favorite children's poetry books in the comments section below!

Shelly Barclay