Orangutan Tongs: Poems to Tangle Your Tongue by Jon Agee
Orangutan Tongs is a poetry book of more than 80 side-splitting, tongue-twisting poems! Heck, it even comes with a warning: “The poems in this book are tricky. Some of them are hard to read. Some of them are easy to read. Each poem has at least one line that will tie your tongue in knots.” Combined with the hilarious artwork, both readers and non-readers will enjoy this awesome collection of poems. We dare you to read it without cracking a smile!
In the Past by David Elliott
Got a dino lover in your family? In the Past is a collection of poems that feature creatures from the prehistoric era. The poems are informative, simple, and fun, with illustrations that help the reader to better appreciate these magnificent creatures! From a dunkleosteus to an apatosaurus, to a dragonfly-esque meganaura, there are plenty of creatures to learn about. Not only that, but it’s organized by time period, making it an especially wonderful resource for your budding paleontologists!
No More Poems! A Book in Verse that Just Gets Worse by Rhett Miller and illustrated by Dan Sanat
No More Poems! is a hysterical collection of over twenty poems dealing with relatable childhood dilemmas—annoying brothers, not wanting to go to bed, and unfinished homework, to name a few. These wacky poems are sure to bring many laughs! Together with Dan Sanat’s colorful illustrations, this will be a book that will be enjoyed by many!
Keep a Pocket in Your Poem: Classic Poems and Playful Parodies by J. Patrick Lewis and Johanna Wright
This fabulous collection introduces readers to thirteen classic poems from authors including Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, and Emily Dickinson. In addition, author J. Patrick Lewis adds his own twist by writing parodies that mirror each classic. For example, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" is paired with "Stopping by Fridge on a Hungry Evening." By pairing classics with parodies, this collection both educates and entertains, and may even inspire readers to give poetry writing a try!
Monster School by Kate Coombs
The Monster School collection of poems features a host of different characters from Monster School, including vampires, banshees, nagi, pumpkin heads, and more! The rhymes are fun and clever, and the illustrations are great. And while monsters with their entertaining and creepy antics take center stage, each poem is still relatable to a very human audience!
I Am Loved by Nikki Giovanni
This collection of lovely poems includes a wide variety of themes centered around the message that each of us is loved. Paired with Ashley Bryan’s bright and colorful illustrations, each reader will leave this beautiful book knowing how cherished they are.
Clackety Track: Poems About Trains by Skila Brown and Jamey Christoph
There’s much to love in this collection of train poems! Not only will train lovers love this book, but all sorts of readers will enjoy the beautifully written poems and language. And the illustrations are a joy, adding to the overall charm of this book. Plus, the last page includes additional facts about trains!
Shout! Little Poems that Roar by Brod Bagert and Sachiko Yoshikawa
This is a collection of over twenty engaging poems relating to children, including topics such as school, playing, animals, and more! Each poem is quirky and fun, with its own rhythmic movement. The text includes bold print, capitals, sound effects, repetition, and more, all of which help engage readers and get them involved! Plus, the illustrations are upbeat, colorful, and cheery. Add this book to your next library trip!
Thunder Underground by Jane Yolen
Thunder Underground is a collection of poems that focus on the amazing world underground. In these twenty-one poems, Yolen explores things like animal burrows, subways, ancient fossils, caves, magma, and more! The mixed media illustrations are captivating, tying the words and illustrations together in beautiful ways. This collection is not only well-done, but it serves as a great mix of literature and science!
Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets by Kwame Alexander with Chris Colderley and Marjory Wentworth
Kwame Alexander begins this collection with a preface explaining his childhood experience with books, which developed into a great love for literature and poetry. Alexander, along with Chris Colderley and Marjory Wentworth, chose twenty classic poets to include in this collection, including Maya Angelou, Emily Dickinson, and Langston Hughes. Each poem has been paired with beautiful illustrations, and each poet is described in more detail at the end of the book, with information regarding their life and other works. Check it out!