Ten Children’s Poets Your Kids Will Love
Reading poems by these creative and delightful children’s poets is a surefire way to introduce your kids to the world of poetry so they will want to return again and again.
Introduce one author at a time or dig into several at once. The children’s poets are the favorites in our family and I know your family is sure to find new favorites to return to time and time again.
{{This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure.}}
10 Fantastic Children’s Poets
This collection of children’s poets includes my absolute favorite poets who I have enjoyed with my own children over the years. We have laughed, learned, and been inspired by so many of these talented poets.
I cannot pick one favorite, but I hope you enjoy these top choices.
Children’s Poet: Douglas Florian
Douglas Florian writes and illustrates a variety of children’s poetry picture books. His topics include nature, space, dinosaurs, and more. His rhymes are full of facts in addition to lines that will make you laugh out loud.
Other poetry books by Douglas Florian:
The Wonderful Habits of Rabbits
Mammalabilia
How to Draw a Dragon
Poem Runs: Baseball Poems and Paintings
insectlopedia
lizards, frogs, and polliwogs
Children’s Poet: Marilyn Singer
We love Marilyn Singer’s delightful and unique poetry. Our family discovered Marilyn Singer when we came across her Reverso Poem books. These creative poems can be read from top to bottom and then again from bottom to top for a completely different take.
Our family celebrated Marilyn Singer with a poetry teatime focused entirely on her poetry. Her books will make a wonderful addition to your poetry collection and your kids are going to love her.
Other poetry books by Marilyn Singer:
Rutherford B. Who Was He: Poems About Our Presidents
Creature Carnival
Fireflies at Midnight
Have you Heard About Ladybird: Poems About Our First Ladies
Children’s Poet: J. Patrick Lewis
We immediately adored the silly rhymes from J. Patrick Lewis that we encountered in his book, “If You Were a Chocolate Mustache.” The simple illustrations and creative rhymes are hard to resist. J. Patrick Lewis was named a Children’s Poet Laureate by the Poetry Foundation. I am certain that his books are sure to make you and your children laugh.
Other poetry books by J. Patrick Lewis:
Everything is a Poem: The Best of J. Patrick Lewis
Spot the Plot: A Riddle Book of Book Riddles
The Boat of Many Rooms: The Story of Noah in Verse
Earth Verses and Water Rhymes
Children’s Poet: Jane Yolen
Did you know the author of the beloved title, Owl Moon, writes engaging children’s poetry? We simply adore her poetry books and love to grab various titles from the library.
Children’s Poet: Jack Prelutsky
I believe it was my mother who introduced my children and me to the wonderful world of Jack Prelutsky. She purchased, New Kid on The Block, for our family and we were immediately hooked on the hysterical rhymes.
Other poetry books by Jack Prelutsky:
The Swamps of Sleethe: Poems from Beyond the Solar System
Dog Days: Rhymes Around The Year
For Laughing Out Louder: More Poems to Tickle Your Funny Bone
Ride a Purple Pelican
Something Big Has Been Here
Children’s Poet: Mary Ann Hoberman
Ten years ago, my oldest child was six years old when we discovered Mary Ann Hoberman. The Llama Who Had No Pajama was her kindergarten graduation present because she adored the poems. In fact, she memorized one about a mouse and can still recite most of it today.
Children’s Poet: Kenn Nesbitt
We came across Kenn Nesbitt when we picked up his book, One Minute Till Bedtime, a delightful collection of poetry selected by Kenn. It’s one of the titles included in my Guide to Poetry Collections for Kids. His poems are outrageously funny and your kids are sure to laugh out loud.
Children’s Poet: Shel Silverstein
Well-known and beloved children’s poet, Shel Silverstein, has been adored for generations. It’s no surprise that he is on this list. If you haven’t introduced your kids to the poetry of Shel Silverstein then they are in for a treat. We love to read out loud the tongue-twisting rhymes in Runny Babbit.
Children’s Poet: Bob Raczka
Bob’s poetry is fun to read and many of his books are just as much fun to examine. We love to use his ideas as inspiration for our own poetry. You’ll have a blast with these books.
Children’s Poet: Joyce Sidman
We discovered Joyce through her poetry which invited us to enjoy, appreciate, and learn about nature. Her nature poetry books remain some of our favorites to check out of the library but we have added more of her titles to our stack.
Other poetry books by Joyce Sidman:
What the Heart Knows: Chants, Charms, and Blessings
Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems
Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature’s Survivors
Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night
Enjoy Poetry Writing with Your Kids
This simple poetry-writing activity is a wonderful way to write poems with your kids. These “I Am” poems will be
More Poetry Books and Ideas for Kids
The Ultimate Guide to Poetry Collections for Kids
A Shakespeare-Inspired Poetry Teatime
Poetry Teatime for Families
Writing Poetry: Found Poetry
Poetry Teatime with Marilyn Singer
Begin a Poetry Teatime In your Home:
She believes that creativity, laughter, and fun are the backbone for engaging and inspiring homeschools. You can find her encouragement and tips on this blog, Mary Hanna Wilson.
She is an enneagram 7 and an extrovert. She enjoys traveling, tea (iced or hot), good conversations, and books. You can connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
- 5 Simple Ideas to Encourage Creative Writing With Young Kids - May 3, 2023
- 24 Creative Ways to Have Fun with Your Family in May - April 27, 2023
- The Ultimate Guide to Poetry Collections for Kids - April 10, 2023
Great read!! Thanks for sharing such a great blog with us. This blogs will really be helpful for every homeschoolers.