Discover Poetry

When children (and some adults for that matter) hear the word poetry their minds automatically shut down. Poetry tends to have the reputation of being boring and hard to understand. But this is simply not the case! There is much more to poetry, and contrary to popular belief it can be full of fun and entertainment! Sharing the world of poetry with children opens a door to a completely new understanding of language and its’ sounds and uses. And it can even do it in a fun and lyrical way that your child will love!

One of the most popular children’s poet that has been entertaining children for years is Shel Silverstein. Most adults can recall a favorite silly or poem of Silverstein’s they enjoyed as a child. As talented as he was, Silverstein by no means stood alone. Many other poets have written books full of poetry for children to enjoy. Poems that will entertain, provide comic relief, and even present complex ideas in a teachable way.

The world of poetry is one that introduces children to many of the different aspects of language. The sound and rhythm of language are present and emphasized when poems are read aloud. The elements of rhyme, repetition, alliteration, and more are all taught through poetry. When poetry is read aloud it can take on new meaning for children and students. The words chosen become more noticeably deliberate as they are voiced and even small children can appreciate the beauty of language when presented aloud through poetry.

We have selected some of our favorite poetry books for your young reader. Some books that will introduce new readers to poetry and others that children can enjoy no matter their reading level. Children will flourish in their reading abilities as poetry plays an active role in their reading routine.