Children's Poetry
Mary Ann Hoberman Named Children's Poet Laureate
"Whether she’s writing about lonely pets or befuddled fauna or little kids still figuring out the world, Hoberman’s poems are always fundamentally about the language, and about introducing its capacity for magic and puzzlement and emotional meaning to the world’s youngest poetry readers." Michael Atkinson takes a look at Children's Poet Laureate Mary Ann Hoberman.
Home Appreciation
"Learning to experience poetry does not require lectures or dissection." Susan Thomsen provides a helpful guide for how to get your kids reading and enjoying poetry.
Snip, Snip!
"In primary school I enjoyed what was called 'choral speaking'—a kind of choir that got together in order to recite poems. I didn’t like the poetry we did in lesson time. It always seemed so mournful and sad." Michael Rosen talks to Bruce Black about being a children's poet and becoming the Children's Laureate of Britain.
More than Mother Goose
From Mother Goose to Edward Gorey to William Shakespeare, Julie Danielson and Eisha Prather recommend 20 books for your children to read over the holidays.
Lunchbox Poems
Surprise your children with poetic treats in their lunchboxes! Julie Danielson and Eisha Prather recommend poems for them to snack on throughout the school year.
An Xceptional and Xuberant Poet
Conjuring dragons who battle bullies and teachers who write on blackbirds, X.J. Kennedy fills his poems with dexterous wordplay and downright malarkey. Children's Poet Laureate Jack Prelutsky shares his delight in the poet's inventive verse.
Thank Goodness It’s (Poetry) Friday
Every Friday, bloggers in the kidlitosphere enthusiastically offer up their favorite poems for kids. Susan Thomsen takes a tour through this billowing online community.
Dragons Pulling Wagons
As the first ever Children's Poet Laureate, Jack Prelutsky is turning the high-beam from all the publicity on other fine poets writing for children today. Each month during his tenure, he'll tell you a bit about a poet he admires, and then select a few favorite poems and books by that author.
With A Little Help from Dr. Angelou
In partnership with Furious Flower Poetry Center at James Madison University, Dr. Maya Angelou, and the Target Corporation, the Poetry Foundation has developed curriculum for teaching essential African American poetry to students of all ages.
CHILDREN'S POET LAUREATE VIDEO
The Children’s Poet Laureate Presents series features Mary Ann Hoberman, children’s poet laureate, reading from her own work, as well as from favorite collections of classic children’s poetry.
CLASSICAL BABY (I'M GROWN UP NOW): THE POETRY SHOW
An HBO original program produced in association with the Poetry Foundation, Classical Baby (I’m Grown Up Now): The Poetry Show introduces audiences to poetry through animation and song.
Children's Poetry Archive
Parents, teachers, and librarians can choose from more than 200 poems in our mini-archive of children's poems. We hope you enjoy sharing them with children.
To make it easy to find the poem you're looking for, we've categorized them as follows:
Nursery Rhymes
School, teachers, homework
Animals, pets
Holidays
Family Matters
Free Spirits
Friends
Historical
Timeless Treasures
Jack Prelutsky's Tips for Introducing Children to Poetry
A master of the art of getting kids to try something new, Jack Prelutsky has been turning children into poetry lovers for many years. Teachers and parents can listen along to this audio recording as Prelutsky talks and sings about turning kids into poetry readers.
LISTEN »
