Handpicked by Our Editors

Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson
Age 5+
4

Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson

Why We Recommend It

Jackie Robinson was special on the baseball field and off. His daughter's bio of the slugger-as-dad emphasizes courage.

Read our full review
Finding great books for children makes them lifelong readers.

When you give your children books they love, you give them a gift that lasts forever. But finding books that appeal to kids when there's so much else competing for their time has become really tough. Our recommended lists by theme and topic will help you find books for children of all ages and interests, from All Things Harry Potter to the best books to share with dads.

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showing: poetry
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The Swamps of Sleethe by Jack Prelutsky
Parents Need to Know...

that this strange little book may disturb some sensitive kids. Nearly every poem ends with a gruesome death. read more

Age 9+
The Swamps of Sleethe
2
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Ecology From A to Z by Jacob Angel
Parents Need to Know...

that this poetic alphabet gives a basic introduction to various ecological concepts, and could be a helpful way to teach kids how to help protect the earth. read more

Age 6+
Ecology From A to Z
3
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Red Sings From Treetops by Joyce Sidman
Parents Need to Know...

that this beautiful book of poetry will enrich any reader's life on so many levels. Its author won Caldecott Honors for her earlier book Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems as well as various awards for This is Just to Say: ... read more

Age 6+
Red Sings From Treetops
4
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Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange
Parents Need to Know...

that this book tells the story of the civil rights movement in poetry, through the hopeful eyes of Coretta Scott King. It's written in a way that is appropriate for younger kids. read more

Age 4+
Coretta Scott
5
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The Random House Book of Poetry for Children by Jack Prelutsky
Parents Need to Know...

that this collection of poetry is a rich and comprehensive anthology, a true classic that should be on every family's book shelf. Of the 572 poems, some are more appropriate for younger readers, some for older. But, overall, read with an ... read more

Age 5+
The Random House Book of Poetry for Children
5
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Good Dog by Maya Gottfried
Parents Need to Know...

that the friendly little Westie on the cover is just the beginning. Dog lovers especially will be completely captivated by this free verse version of who's who in the dog world. Those who are not yet friends with man's best friend will ... read more

Age 4+
Good Dog
4
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Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo (Poems) by Linda Sue Park
Parents Need to Know...

that this witty, playful book of poems introduces Sijo, a Korean form of poetry. read more

Age 4+
Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo (Poems)
4
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Why War Is Never a Good Idea by Alice Walker
Parents Need to Know...

that this evocative poem about the hidden destruction of war presents a powerful message that is too scary for younger and sensitive readers. Younger kids will be scared more by the illustrations than by the words, and even 8- and ... read more

Age 7+
Why War Is Never a Good Idea
4
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Good Sports by Jack Prelutsky
Parents Need to Know...

that there's nothing offensive in this bouncy, personable collection of poems. read more

Age 4+
Good Sports
3
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A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children by Caroline Kennedy
Parents Need to Know...

that there is nothing objectionable about this collection, but some poems are quite complicated and may require adult involvement. read more

Age 7+
A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children
4
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The Beauty of the Beast: Poems From the Animal Kingdom by Jack Prelutsky
Parents Need to Know...

that this is one of the best poetry and art collections available for children. read more

Age 4+
The Beauty of the Beast: Poems From the Animal Kingdom
5
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In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers by Javaka Steptoe
Parents Need to Know...

that the varied tempos, topics, and formats of the poems offer something for readers of nearly every age. Readers gain insight on both the authors' personal relationships and their collective cultural experiences as African Americans. read more

Age 6+
In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers
4
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Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes by Beatrix Potter
Parents Need to Know...

that it's hard to beat Beatrix Potter and Mother Goose for immersing young children in high-level language with a rhyming, metered format which entrances them. Because the language is so rich, it's also good for beginning readers. read more

Age 2+
Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes
4
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Becoming Joe DiMaggio by Maria Testa
Parents Need to Know...

that some background on DiMaggio and the period will help kids get more out of this. Written in free verse, it will appeal to reluctant readers because it's short, but it's literary and packs a lot of meaning, emotion, and ideas into few ... read more

Age 8+
Becoming Joe DiMaggio
4
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America the Beautiful by Katharine Lee Bates
Parents Need to Know...

that while most children are able to sing parts if not all of this famous American hymn, many have little idea what the words mean. This illustrated version gives not only all four verses, but also strong images of American life that will ... read more

Age 5+
America the Beautiful
4
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Snowy, Flowy, Blowy: A Twelve Months Rhyme by Nancy Tafuri
Parents Need to Know...

that this simple story describes seasonal changes with rhyming words and large, colorful illustrations. read more

Age 2+
Snowy, Flowy, Blowy: A Twelve Months Rhyme
3
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Falling Up by Shel Silverstein
Parents Need to Know...

that the art in this book is inviting, and the style and economy of the writing, plus the subject matter, hold children's interest. read more

Age 6+
Falling Up
4
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Yesterday I Had the Blues by Jeron Ashford Frame
Parents Need to Know...

that the young narrator matches his feelings with different colors in this poetic story. read more

Age 5+
Yesterday I Had the Blues
4
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Mammalabilia by Douglas Florian
Parents Need to Know...

that there is nothing of concern in this book of humorous poems with inventive paintings. read more

Age 4+
Mammalabilia
4
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Chicken Soup With Rice by Maurice Sendak
Parents Need to Know...

that it won't take long before children start repeating this poem. The writing is simple yet entertaining, and the art conveys warmth. read more

Age 4+
Chicken Soup With Rice
4
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Harlem: A Poem by Walter Dean Myers
Parents Need to Know...

that though it's a picture book, this is clearly aimed at older readers. A class of first-graders was confused by the complexity of the book's poetry and its many references to unfamiliar figures. In fact, some references may be confusing ... read more

Age 9+
Harlem: A Poem
4

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