Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Short, funny poems a sure bet to delight kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
POEM DEPOT: AISLES OF SMILES features short, funny rhyming poems arranged in the "aisles" of a virtual store under labels such as "Wit & Whimsy," "Jests & Jives," and "Tons of Puns." The entertaining poems reflect a kid's-eye view of the world with funny observations about real life (having to clean your room, getting a cold) and crazy, absurdist imaginings about such things as: having a talking dog, being eaten by an alligator, swimming from Japan to Australia, a girl waking up and noticing her nose and mouth are missing and her toes are where her ears are supposed to be, a boy losing his appetite and looking for it everywhere, and a nose that's running -- literally.
Is It Any Good?
The poems in Poem Depot: Aisles of Smiles are perfect for kids: They're short, funny, silly, and easy to gobble up quickly or savor bit by bit. Each one has a good comic punch, and the kid-like line drawings that accompany each are inviting and often amplify the joke.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what's cool about poetry. How is it different from prose writing?
Does poetry always have to rhyme? Have you read poems that don't rhyme (called free verse)?
Try writing a funny poem about something in real life. Then write one about something crazy that doesn't really exist!
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Douglas Florian
- Genre : Poetry
- Topics : Animals ( Wild Animals ) , Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship , Robots
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : Dial
- Publication date : March 20, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 9 - 11
- Number of pages : 154
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : January 6, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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