Nancy's Poetry Picks

(April 12, 2001)

Think poetry is just for highbrow, intellectual snobs? Think again! Poetry is for everyone! If you know a kid, or are a kid at heart, take your pick from the titles that follow and discover the joy of poetry. These titles were selected by Youth Services Librarian, Nancy Doering.

To order any of these titles, contact the library by email, mail or phone. You may also request these titles online through our OPAC. Happy Reading!

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Alphabestiary: Animal Poems from A to Z selected by Jane Yolen
RC 44042
This collection, which includes one or more poems for each letter of the alphabet, features such creatures as an anteater, a bat, a firefly, a groundhog, an iguana, a mosquito, an octopus, a peacock, a unicorn, and a zebra. For grades 2-4 and older.

Animal Crackers: A Delectable Collection of Pictures, Poems, and Lullabies for the Very Young by Jane Dyer
RC 44226
Collection of verse includes Mother Goose rhymes and contemporary poems about children, animals, the seasons, and things to eat. For preschool-grade 2.

Classic Poems to Read Aloud edited by James Berry
RC 44601
Poetry selected from many cultures. Beginning with the creation stories of various religions, the collection celebrates many aspects of life with themes such as elements of the earth, magic, humor, and love. For grades 4-7.

How Now, Brown Cow? by Alice Schertle
BR 10046
The subject is cows in this collection of 15 poems. Includes "Milking," "Clever Cows," "The Cow's Complaint," "Drivin' Cows," "Cows Coming Home," "Cows Live Here," "Taradiddle," and "Moo." Print/Braille. For grades K-3.

I, Too, Sing America: Three Centuries of African American Poetry compiled by Catherine Clinton
RC 48399
Thirty-five selections by 25 prominent poets spanning American history from colonial days through modern times. A brief biography and explanatory notes precede each work. For grades 5-8 and older readers.

Jump Ball: A Basketball Season in Poems by Mel Glenn
RC 46367
The story of a championship high school basketball team told in free-verse poems. Follows the home and school life of the players and coach until tragedy strikes on the way to the final game. For grades 6-9.

Oh, Grow Up! Poems to Help You Survive Parents, Chores, School, and Other Afflictions by Florence Parry Heide and Roxanne Heide Pierce
RC 43419
Humorous poems from a child's point of view. Themes relate to childhood annoyances such as bullies, cafeteria food, and parental discipline. For grades 2-4.

A Pizza the Size of the Sun by Jack Prelutsky
RC 43413
More than 100 humorous verses. You'll meet Miss Misinformation, Herman Sherman Thurman, and Swami Gourami, who is one of a kind. For grades 3-6 and older readers.

Popcorn: Poems by James Stevenson
RC 47363
Thirty-two poems that capture daily life in a small seaside town. Driftwood is scattered along the beach, a picnic table sits empty awaiting the next time it is covered with hot dogs and paper plates. Chelsea the dog awaits her breakfast, an empty crab shell lies dry and hollow on the sand, and in late December, people dig for clams in the mud. For grades 2-4.

Sad Underwear and Other Complications: More Poems for Children and Their Parents by Judith Viorst
RC 44267
Collection of more than 40 poems covering topics such as the first day of school, fairy tales, pals and pests, moms and dads, and growing up. For grades 2-4.

The Sheriff of Rottenshot: Poems by Jack Prelutsky
RC 50840
A collection of original punning poems including "Kermit Keene," "The Soggy Frog," and "The Seven Sneezes of Cecil Sneddle." For grades 2-4 and older readers.

Spectacular Science: A Book of Poems by Lee Bennett Hopkins
BR 13005
A collection of 15 poems exploring the physical world. Includes "What Is Science?" by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, "Magnet" by Valerie Worth, "Dinosaur Bone" by Alice Schertle, "How?" by Lee Bennett Hopkins, "What Are You, Wind?" by Mary O'Neill, and "Stars" by Carl Sandburg. Print/Braille. For grades 2-4.

The Twentieth Century Children's Poetry Treasury selected by Jack Prelutsky
RC 50086
Anthology of 211 poems by 137 poets, including Gwendolyn Brooks, John Ciardi, e.e. cummings, Roald Dahl, Robert Frost, Nikki Grimes, Russell Hoban, Langston Hughes, Karla Kushin, Myra Cohn Livingston, A.A. Milne, Ogden Nash, Carl Sandburg, Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, and Judith Viorst. For grades 2-4 and older readers.