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Poetry Books for Kids

From the youngest age, little kids love the rhythm of rhymes, and poetry is a great way to help kids develop literacy skills. As they get older, children are drawn to the more sophisticated patterns of poetry and free verse. This list includes some of our favorite poetry books for young readers. Looking for more ways to raise a reader? Find the answers to the most common parent concerns about reading. And check out more book suggestions for kids, including 50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12, Alphabet Books, and Educational Books.

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Daddy and Me and the Rhyme to Be
BOOK

Daddy and Me and the Rhyme to Be

age 4+

Rhyme and wordplay make an upbeat, colorful family read.

Fancy Nancy: Poet Extraordinaire! Poster Image
BOOK

Fancy Nancy: Poet Extraordinaire!

age 4+

Fabulous, fancy primer on poetry sure to get kids writing.

By: Jane O'Connor (2010)
Girl in a pink shirt riding a unicycle and writing the words "my poem" in pencil
BOOK

How to Write a Poem

age 4+

Playful language inspires creativity, fresh look at poetry.

My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood Poster Image
BOOK

My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood

age 4+

Boy cites the colors of his moods in poetic slice of life.

By: Tameka Fryer Brown (2013)
Runny Babbit Returns: Another Billy Sook Poster Image
BOOK

Runny Babbit Returns: Another Billy Sook

age 4+

Scrambled letters make funny poems even sillier.

By: Shel Silverstein (2017)
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers Poster Image
BOOK

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

age 5+

Mister Rogers' songs stand up as uplifting, fun poems.

By: Fred Rogers (2019)
The Complete Tales & Poems of Winnie-the-Pooh Poster Image
BOOK

The Complete Tales & Poems of Winnie-the-Pooh

age 5+

Beloved, classic stories and poems in one volume.

By: A. A. Milne (1996)
Hey Black Child Poster Image
BOOK

Hey Black Child

age 5+

Motivational poem brought to life in full color.

I Am Every Good Thing Poster Image
BOOK

I Am Every Good Thing

age 5+

Dynamic art, poetry enhance vivid celebration of Black boys.

By: Derrick Barnes (2020)
A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart Poster Image
BOOK

A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart

age 5+

Powerful poem reflects on Black Americans' emotional story.

By: Zetta Elliott (2021)
Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks Poster Image
BOOK

Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks

age 6+

Splendid biography of first Black Pulitzer Prize winner.

By: Suzanne Slade (2020)
The Negro Speaks of Rivers Poster Image
BOOK

The Negro Speaks of Rivers

age 6+

Words and watercolors sing in a voice as deep as the river.

By: Langston Hughes (2009)
Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Boy Poster Image
BOOK

Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Boy

age 6+

Moving poems, dazzling art show the beauty of black boys.

By: Tony Medina (2020)
Where the Sidewalk Ends Poster Image
BOOK

Where the Sidewalk Ends

age 6+

Irresistible collection of clever, hilarious poems.

By: Shel Silverstein (2004)
Outside the Box Poster Image
BOOK

Outside the Box

age 7+

Irreverent collection offers mind-opening poems for kids.

By: Karma Wilson (2014)
Bravo!: Poems About Amazing Hispanics Poster Image
BOOK

Bravo!: Poems About Amazing Hispanics

age 8+

Inspiring poems about Latinos who excelled in their fields.

By: Margarita Engle (2017)
I'm Just No Good at Rhyming: And Other Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grown-Ups Poster Image
BOOK

I'm Just No Good at Rhyming: And Other Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grown-Ups

age 8+

Wordplay and cleverness abound in funny poems for kids.

By: Chris Harris (2017)
Jazz Day: The Making of a Famous Photograph Poster Image
BOOK

Jazz Day: The Making of a Famous Photograph

age 8+

Poetic account of legendary gathering of jazz greats.

By: Roxane Orgill (2016)
Love That Dog Poster Image
BOOK

Love That Dog

age 8+

Boy pours his grief into poetry in moving free-verse gem.

By: Sharon Creech (2004)
May B. Poster Image
BOOK

May B.

age 8+

Riveting and moving account of girl's struggle for survival.

By: Caroline Starr Rose (2012)