Books with a beat have a way of making reading aloud even more fun and engaging. Poetry takes the best of both worlds and finds interesting ways to keep children connected to their world. Enjoy this list of both old and new poetry titles from the Read To Me staff, but as always, remember to take the time to tailor the books you select to fit your reader(s) and be willing to try a variety of reads. Poetry has a broad scope and we bet you can find a poem to fit every occasion and mood.

A Bad Case of the Giggles: Poems that will make you laugh out loud edited by Bruce Lansky

In this collection, you’ll find the creations of some of the most popular children’s poets in the world: Shel Silverstein, Jack Prelutsky, Judith Viorst, Jeff Moss, Bruce Lansky, and others. A favorite for our 9-year-old Read To Me friend, D.J., this collection guarantees a laugh-out-loud time as children pick out and read aloud their favorite poems.

Been To Yesterdays: Poems of a Life by Lee Bennett Hopkins

Lee Bennett Hopkins paints a vivid picture of his youth in the 1950s in this collection of autobiographical poems. An ideal read for young children over the age of 8 years old, this simple and understated book will also resonate with adults. Hopkins understands that poetry, although deceptively simple and "text-light,” can explore many powerful emotions.

Don't Bump the Glump!: And Other Fantasies by Shel Silverstein

Outside of Shel Silverstein's well-known and beloved poetry collections Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, and Falling Up, readers will also love his first book of poems, Don't Bump the Glump!: And Other Fantasies, which is chalk full of imaginary animals and playful language. A precursor to the poems we know and love, this collection is a great way to introduce the youngest poetry aficionado to a timeless favorite.

Grass Sandals: The Travels of Basho by Dawnine Spivak

Grass Sandals is the story of Basho—one of the best-loved poets in the history of Japan—and his journeys on foot through his homeland. This narrative story, accompanied by haiku, allow readers to experience the ancient Edo period and the life of this very special poet.

The Hawaiian Mother Goose Rhymes by Debra Ryll

Mother Goose gets a local makeover in this book of nursery rhymes. If you'd like to teach your child a few Hawaiian words to add to their vocabulary, this is a good way of introducing ōlelo to the keiki.

 
Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A celebration of poetry with a beat edited by Nikki Giovanni

As long as people have stories, there will be rhythm, rap, and hip hop. This anthology covers topics from hope for the future to going to school, while celebrating the poetic devices and language in hip-hop, speeches, and African-American poetry. It includes pieces by rappers, singers, poets, and famous persons such as Queen Latifah, Maya Angelou, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Mirror Mirror A book of reversible verse by Marilyn Singer

There are two sides to every story, from the princess and the frog, to the beauty and the beast, to sleeping beauty and that charming prince. Using the same sentence and then flipping it, two stories are told. This "reverso" poetry collection holds a cheeky mirror up to language and fairy tales, and renews the magic of both.

Nightmares: Poems to Trouble Your Sleep by Jack Prelutsky

With Halloween just around the corner, keep this book, recommended for seven to nine year olds, in the back of your mind. A master of children's poetry and Read To Me favorite, Jack Prelutsky understands boys and how to get them interested in poetry. These poems will hit the spot, late at night, when you hear a bump or creak somewhere in the darkness.

Pizza, Pigs and Poetry (How to Write a Poem) by Jack Prelutsky

Jack Prelutsky has written more than a thousand poems about pizza, pigs, poetry among many others. In this book, he gives readers the inside scoop on writing poetry and explains how to turn experiences and stories about families, pets, and friends into poems. In addition, he provides fun exercises to help readers get started (or unstuck).

A Poke in the I: A Collection of concrete poems selected by Paul B. Janeczko

A concrete poem can be as simple as a single word that becomes poetic in the unusual way it is placed on the page. In this collection, the variations explored add another layer of meaning to poems and words. Although hard to read aloud, these poems are visually interesting and definitely worth a mention!

The Tighty Whitey Spider and more wacky animal poems I totally made up by Kenn Nesbitt

A humorous read aloud, this collection of poems by Kenn Nesbit does an excellent job of bringing poetry to boy readers by tickling their funny bones. The pictures also hold a special allure that you would hope for in every picture book a child opens.

Whisper and Shout: Poems to Memorize edited by Patrice Vecchione

Recommended for 9 to 12 year olds, this compilation is full of old favorites and new poems on their way to becoming classics, all perfect for memorization. Readers will also find useful tips on teaching children how to memorize a piece of text, taking a poem to heart and keeping it there for the rest of their lives.

You Read To Me, I'll Read To You edited by Mary Ann Hoberman

This book retells many popular fairy tales from two points of view (think Goldilocks and the little bear). A fun and interesting way to engage your child, it has differently colored and alternating sentences to indicate the two views and readers, helping reading aloud become a shared activity. Featured in this issue's President's Message.