20 Poetry Books for Kids

Check out these great poetry books for kids. They’re a great way to introduce new concepts and fun reading into the lives of your children.

Introducing kids to poetry can be a lot of fun. This list of poetry books for kids is full of funny poems, silly rhymes, and poems written by famous poets. Whether your kids are experienced with poetry or new to the genre, they will find something they like here!

While these 20 poetry books for kids are great, we’re always looking for more recommendations as well!

20 Poetry Books for Kids

As you’ll see from this list of poetry books for kids, there are so many great options to choose from! Make certain that you ask your child to pick their favorite out of these poetry books for kids so that you can discuss them more with them!

Where the Sidewalk Ends: Poems and Drawings was written by Shel Silverstein. This collection of poems uses different poetry styles and rhyme schemes. The silly poems are paired with funny black and white illustrations.

It’s Raining Pigs & Noodles was written by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by James Stevenson. This book is a collection of over 100 hilarious poems paired with silly illustrations.

National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems with Photographs That Squeak, Soar, and Roar! was compiled by J. Patrick Lewis. This book is full of poems based on animals, divided into themed chapters, and paired with large, clear illustrations of the animals.

Breathe and Be: A Book of Mindfulness Poems was written by Kate Coombs and illustrated by Anna Laitinen. The simple poems and calming illustrations in this book help kids to visualize and learn important mindfulness techniques.

Revolting Rhymes was written by Roald Dahl. This book takes popular fairy tales and gives them silly and gross details to change them up and pairs them with goofy illustrations done in Dahl’s signature style.

Days Like This: A Collection of Small Poems was compiled by Simon James. This book includes a selection of poems that celebrate moments in life, paired with beautiful watercolor illustrations.

My First Book of Haiku Poems: a Picture, a Poem and a Dream was written by Esperanza Ramirez-Christensen and illustrated by Tracy Gallup. This compilation of haiku poetry offers the poems in both Japanese and English.

Read-Aloud Poems: 120 of the World’s Best-Loved Poems for Parent and Child to Share was edited by Glorya Hale. This treasury of poems includes 120 of the most beloved poems from some of the most well known poets, and some details on the lives of the authors included.

Kids Pick the Funniest Poems was edited by Bruce Lansky and illustrated by Stephen Carpenter. This collection includes silly poems from some of the most popular children’s poets, all selected by kids for kids.

Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat was written by Nikki Giovanni. This book celebrates the poetry of hip hop with over 50 songs and poems, paired with vibrant and colorful illustrations.

No More Poems!: A Book in Verse That Just Gets Worse was written by Rhett Miller and illustrated by Dan Santat. This compilation of silly children’s poems touches on many issues that all kids face through clever rhymes and funny illustrations.

Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young was compiled by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by Marc Brown. This anthology contains more than 200 fun poems compiled by the famed children’s poet Jack Prelutsky, paired with adorable illustrations.

Are You Quite Polite? was written by Alan Katz. This book takes popular children’s songs and rhymes and changes the words to teach kids about good manners.

Even More Poetry Books for Kids

Poems I Wrote When No One Was Looking was written by Alan Katz and illustrated by Edward Koren. This compilation of silly poems will have kids laughing out loud at the funny twists on everyday problems.

National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry: More than 200 Poems With Photographs That Float, Zoom, and Bloom! was edited by J. Patrick Lewis. This anthology combines beautiful nature poetry with breathtaking photographs of nature.

Poetry for Kids: Emily Dickinson was edited by Susan Snively, PhD and illustrated by Christine Davenier. This compilation includes 35 well-known poems from Emily Dickinson’s work and pairs them with sweet, colorful illustrations.

Poetry for Kids: Robert Frost was edited by Jay Parini, PhD and illustrated by Michael Paraskevas. This anthology introduces young readers to the poetry of Robert Frost through 35 of his poems, and beautiful illustrated scenery.

I Am Someone Else: Poems About Pretending was compiled by Lee Bennett Hopkins and illustrated by Chris Hsu. This collection of poems highlights the beauty of pretending and dressing up and includes sweet illustrations of young children playing pretend.

No More Homework! No More Tests!: Kids’ Favorite Funny School Poems was written by Bruce Lansky and illustrated by Stephen Carpenter. This book is filled with hilarious poems all about school chosen by elementary school-aged kids.

Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reverso Poems was written by Marilyn Singer and illustrated by Josee Masse. This book takes classic fairy tales and turns them on their heads by writing them both forwards and backward.