Poetry Is Actually Kinda Cool:
Great Poetry Books for Reluctant Poetry Readers
by Tom Burns
True confession: I paid an obscene amount of money for a bachelor’s degree in English and yet I never truly appreciated poetry until I had a kid.
Maybe it was caused by tedious weeks spent analyzing T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land” in high school Lit classes, or by awkward nights in coffee houses watching college students use free verse as a cringe-worthy alternative to therapy, but in my youth, poetry always felt impenetrable to me. And that can be a pretty common reaction to poetry for parents and children alike.
But once you actually start reading poetry with your kids, you quickly discover how poetry can be an amazing tool for getting your children excited about reading. Poets like Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein teach kids that, when assembled correctly, even in ways that don’t seem to make sense, words can make a person feel a ridiculously deep range of emotions, and kids LOVE THAT.
If your kid isn’t sure poetry is for them, here are some books that do a fantastic job of making poetry stop looking academic and start looking very, very cool.
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Eric Carle’s Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and Other Nursery Rhymes
Available from:Nursery rhymes are often a baby’s first introduction to poetry. With familiar characters and vibrant illustrations, this nursery rhyme collection from beloved children’s book creator Eric Carle is a must-have for any baby’s home library.
(Ages 0 - 3)Also available from: -
Kindergarten, Here I Come!
Available from:Experience an entire year of kindergarten with this bestselling collection of lively and humorous poems. From the first day to the last, this book takes readers through the ups and downs of friendships, learning, and moving up. Check out the rest of the Here I Come series for poetry about holidays, seasons, special occasions, and more.
(Ages 3 - 5)Also available from: -
Ready for Spaghetti: Funny Poems for Funny Kids
Available from:Immerse your child in these sweet and silly poems that celebrate the day-to-day events in their life. Whether it’s an ode to a soft-boiled egg or a poem celebrating the night sky, this book is both giggle-worthy and awe-inspiring. It’s perfect for reading aloud to your child!
(Ages 3 - 7)Also available from: -
Change Sings
Available from:Inspire your little reader to become a force for change with this picture book from presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman. The story follows a girl with her guitar as she moves around her city, encouraging people to stand together and make a difference.
(Ages 4 - 8)Also available from: -
Oh, The Places You'll Go!
Available from:I know this is a popular graduation gift, but Seuss’s whimsical, heartfelt verses offer such an optimistic and aspirational look into the future that I think kids should be introduced to Oh, The Places You’ll Go! as early as possible.
(Ages 7+)Also available from: -
Zorgamazoo
Available from:Kids who loved reading Dr. Seuss on repeat will find a familiar and welcome experience in this middle grade novel. They’ll love the zany rhymes, nonsense words, and humor in this story about a girl who spots an unusual creature in the subway.
(Ages 8 - 12)Also available from: -
Counting in Dog Years and Other Sassy Math Poems
Available from:Most people wouldn’t think that poetry and math belong in the same paragraph. Still, they mesh together beautifully in this book for middle grade readers. Reluctant mathematicians will find bouncy and vibrant poems about fractions, multiplication, time, and more. Kids will have so much fun reading poetry that they won’t mind absorbing a few math facts.
(Ages 8 - 12)Also available from: -
Revolting Rhymes
Available from:What if every fairy tale you knew — "Cinderella," "Snow White," the works — were way more bloody and bizarre than you’d ever imagined? That’s the sales pitch that should get any kid excited to read Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes, his hilariously dark take on the cruel realities behind our favorite fables.
(Ages 6 - 8)Also available from: -
Brown Girl Dreaming
Available from:Poetry can take many forms and, in this case, an award-winning memoir in verse. Jacqueline Woodson’s eloquent words deliver her childhood stories in a way that is both accessible and mesmerizing for young readers. Kids will devour her poems about growing up, overcoming challenges, and finding her purpose.
(Ages 10+)Also available from:
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2023.