I love poetry! For anyone who has attended my Poetry workshops – this becomes obvious in the first few minutes! I have a huge collection of poetry books for kids and am always on the look-out for new collections. Perhaps I am looking more closely, but ever since my Powerful Poetry book came out last fall, there seems to be more and more great poetry books coming out! Here are my favorites that have been released this year.
They Only See the Outside – Kalli Dakos
Perfect for “making connections” with older students, this wonderful collection of poetry contains poems on homework, chronic illness, the death of a friend, bullying, lying, shyness, and other significant issues. Lots of “feels” with this book! These poems would make excellent conversation starters to discuss tough topics that are not-so-obvious “on the outside.”
The Dirt Book: Poems About Animals that Live Beneath Our Feet – David L. Harrison
I love poetry books that can be linked to content areas. This book is a celebration of the natural world below our feet and includes many scientific facts about dirt and the creatures who live in it. The colorful illustrations open vertically, engaging readers in a look down “under the ground”. Perfect poems for joyful read-alouds that will inspire and inform readers about the wonders of dirt.
My Thoughts Are Clouds: Poems for Mindfulness – Georgia Heard
Georgia Heard changed the way I thought about teaching poetry many years ago with her book For the Good of the Earth and Sun. Since then, I have every one of her poetry books in my collection! Her new book is a collection of meditative poems that focus on breathing and calming techniques. A perfect collection of mindfulness poems organized beautifully with simple illustrations.
The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics – Susan Hood
Again, here are poems you can link to your content areas if you are teaching about the environment. Here is another “hybrid” poetry book which combines poetry and factual information. Topics include: microplastics, plastic bags and straws, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and other environmental issues. The book provides excellent resources in the back that promote action, including a time line, and suggested alternatives to plastic products. Added bonus is the diverse poetry forms Hood includes: odes, concrete poems, limericks, and cumulative poems.
Delicious! Poems Celebrating Street Food Around the World – Julie Larios
Warning: Don’t read this book if you are hungry!! Full of joy and energy and color and pattern, this engaging collection of poems focus on street foods from around the world. A perfect addition to a unit on cultural identity (see Powerful Understanding – SELF) Readers will travel from Beijing to Lima to Jaffa, Israel: “Orange juice/ in an orange cup/ from an orange cart/ with orange wheels–/ and a big, BIG pile/ of orange peels.”
Beautiful Day! Petite Poems for All Seasons – Rodoula Pappa
From snowfall to waves, kites to strawberries, and fireflies to grasshoppers – this is a collection of small, joyful haiku-inspired odes to the four seasons. Promotes observation, wonder, and reflection in nature. A perfect anchor book for “using your poet’s eyes” “
Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright! An Animal Poem for Each Day of the Year – Fiona Waters
This vast anthology of poetry offers readers one animal poem for every day of the year. A blend of classic and modern-day poetry written by poets around the world, and an expansive range of topics and structure. Gorgeous illustrations. Recommended for grades 3 and up.
Honey for You, Honey for Me – Michael Rosen
Think Mother Goose in the 21st century! This fresh rendition of popular and lesser-known nursery and schoolyard rhymes is updated with illustrations and graphic design elements that will attract a new generations of readers. Love the large format and great use of white space, along with colorful illustrations. Lots of rhyme, rhythm and repetition in this one!
Everything Comes Next: Collected and New Poems – Naomi Shihab Nye
Attention middle grade teachers! This is a MUST have poetry collection of favorites by Poetry Foundation’s Young People’s Poet Laureate, Naomi Shihab Nye. She truly is one of my favorite poets – and her poems never fail to touch the heart, the gut, and the tear ducts! Perfect books for reading aloud to middle grade students and letting the connections and conversations fly!
31 Halloween Poetry Countdown – Alyse M. Scheetz
It’s countdown to Halloween! And here is the perfect book to help you countdown! 31 fun and chilling kid-friendly poems to countdown to your Halloween holiday.