April is National Poetry Month, and in honor of the occasion, we’ve gathered together a list of some of the best poetry anthologies for children.
Note that this list includes anthologies exclusively, meaning that every book we mention is a collection of poems by a variety of poets, rather than a collection of poems written by a single author. (Those books are valuable, of course! For more recommendations of poetry for children, I recommend perusing the poetry category at Redeemed Reader or What Do We Do All Day?)
In the introduction to her 2005 poetry collection, A Family of Poems, Caroline Kennedy writes, “Some people think poetry is solitary or boring. They worry that they won’t be able to understand it. But people who start reading poems when they are young don’t have these fears. As children, we enjoy exploring language and rhyme and creating work pictures of the world around us. A love of learning and ability to express ourselves clearly are critical in today’s world. We are bombarded with information, but growing up with poetry develops a foundation in language and values that enables us to distinguish what is truly important.”
The skills of attention, discernment, and enjoyment that poetry fosters have only grown more important and rare in the two decades since Kennedy wrote those words. My hope for this list of poetry anthologies is to recommend robust books that can earn a place on your family’s bookshelves for decades, following children as they grow. Hopefully, favorite poems and poets can be discovered within these pages.
- Here’s a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry,
collected by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters, illustrated by Polly Dunbar
This is an ideal collection for helping toddlers and preschoolers learn to delight in language. Read it to them as they splash in the tub or make a mess with their mushy peas! (In fact, the book includes whimsical illustrations of young children doing exactly these sorts of things.) This is not the kind of book you’re going to hand to a preschooler unsupervised (it’s a large hardcover, after all), it’s ideal for reading aloud. The poems are short, the text is large, and the pages are colorful. [Buy a copy: Amazon | Bookshop ]
- Sing a Song of Seasons:
A Nature Poem for Each Day of the Year
In my home, this is the kind of book that is so beloved, the spine is slowly coming detached from the pages. It’s no surprise, though, because this book is a big one. As the subtitle suggests, it includes 365 nature-themed poems and clocks in at 335 oversized pages. The lovely illustrations are by Frann Preston-Gannon and add a great deal to the book, in terms of beauty and connections to text. When my kids were younger, we read a poem from this book every night at bedtime. It may be time to bring back the tradition. Read a full review of this book from our friends at Redeemed Reader. [Buy a copy: Amazon | Bookshop ]
- A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children
by Caroline Kennedy
As alluded to at the beginning of this list, Caroline Kennedy’s introduction to this book is enough to convince any parent or grandparent of the value of reading poetry together, as a family. The poems in this collection are divided into thematic categories: About Me, That’s So Silly!, Animals, Adventure, etc. Kennedy has published several poetry collections over the years, and this one appears to be sadly out of print–but you may come across a used copy, and your library is sure to have it. While this collection is my particular favorite, Kennedy’s other collection for children, Poems to Learn by Heart, is also lovely (with a cover that will, no doubt, be more appealing for young readers.). [Buy a copy: Amazon | Bookshop ]
- Hip-Hop Speaks to Children
by Nikki Giovanni
This is a fun and engaging collection of African-American poetry, emphasizing the rhythm and musicality of poetry and the delight of reading it aloud. Originally published in 2008, the book still comes with audio accompaniment on CD-ROM – it would be worth tracking down a CD player to hear the performances if possible, but if not, the print alone is still valuable. [Buy a copy: Amazon | Bookshop ] (My favorite anthology of African-American poetry for young readers is I, Too, Sing America: Three Centuries of African American Poetry by Catherine Clinton, illustrated by Stephen Alcorn. It would be most appropriate for teenagers, but sadly, it is out of print. Perhaps you can find a used copy!)
- She’ll be the Sky: Poems by Women and Girls,
selected by Ella Risbridger and illustrated by Anna Shepeta
This poetry anthology would be a wonderful choice for any middle school girl in your life. While many well-known poets are included–Mary Oliver, Maya Angelou, and more–it also includes many lesser-known names. I especially love the illustrations, which include women across geographies, time periods, and cultures. The introduction includes a kid-friendly and valuable exploration about why a collection of female authors should exist. [Buy a copy: Amazon | Bookshop ]
What are some of your favorite poetry anthologies for children and families?
Lindsey Cornett
Lindsey Cornett is a loud talker, obsessive coffee drinker, and lover of the written word who lives in downtown Indianapolis with her scientist husband, 3 kids, and crazy Bernedoodle. Most days, you’ll find her wrangling the dog, managing snacks, reheating her coffee, and trying to savor as much joy and gratitude as she can in the middle of these very full days. Lindsey writes a monthly-ish email newsletter about the intersections of faith, community, and curiosity at lindseycornett.substack.com.
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