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Recommendations for children’s poetry books please?

32 replies

StanzaQueensUnite · 01/05/2025 16:41

What children’s poetry is everyone reading nowadays please?

In my day, my children read Bear Hunt and The Gruffalo, plus the poetry books from my childhood, such as The Treasury of Children’s Verse.

But what is popular now please?

I am particularly interested in poetry for the five to seven year old age group and for nine to eleven year olds?

I don’t have a clue and need to purchase for a summer reading group by the end of next week! I’m a volunteer so would very much appreciate some help please.

The criteria are : books can be illustrated or non-illustrated but they must be well written and can be compilations of different poems or, in the younger age group, one rhyming narrative.

Please can anyone help?

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Original poster
StanzaQueensUnite · 30/12/2025 08:45

PityNavyScroller · 30/12/2025 02:40

For Ages 5-7
This age group enjoys playful, rhythmic poems, often with a strong narrative or lots of repetition:

  1. If You Go Down to the Woods Today by Colin and Jacqui Hawkins – A fun and rhythmic adventure that’s great for young listeners.
  2. Ready for Spaghetti by Michael Rosen – This is a collection of lively poems, perfect for kids just starting to enjoy poetry.
  3. Funky Chickens by Benjamin Zephaniah – Witty and fun, this book’s humor will captivate early readers.
  4. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats – A classic story in verse that’s beautiful and easy for younger children to connect with.
For Ages 9-11 Older children can handle more complex themes and enjoy a wider variety of poetic styles:
  1. Poems to Perform by Julia Donaldson – This collection encourages kids to perform the poems themselves, making it great for class reading groups.
  2. A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh Poetry Collection – Timeless poems with charm, humor, and whimsy that older children will appreciate.
  3. Michael Rosen's A-Z of Children's Poetry – A collection from one of the UK’s beloved children’s poets, perfect for children who want variety.
  4. The River’s A Singer by Valerie Bloom – A poetic journey through nature and life, this collection is perfect for engaging readers who are ready for deeper themes.
If you're looking for more recommendations for poetry books specifically for younger readers, especially for ages 9-11, you might want to check out this blog post “Poems for 3rd Graders”. It features a curated list of poems that are perfect for helping 3rd graders explore poetry in a fun and engaging way. Plus, the blog provides useful tips on how to incorporate these poems into activities that can spark creativity and improve literacy skills. It’s a great resource if you’re building out your reading group’s material this summer!

Just seen this! Thank you very much indeed for the latest contributions to this thread. Much appreciated!

OP posts:
PityNavyScroller · 30/12/2025 02:40

For Ages 5-7
This age group enjoys playful, rhythmic poems, often with a strong narrative or lots of repetition:

  1. If You Go Down to the Woods Today by Colin and Jacqui Hawkins – A fun and rhythmic adventure that’s great for young listeners.
  2. Ready for Spaghetti by Michael Rosen – This is a collection of lively poems, perfect for kids just starting to enjoy poetry.
  3. Funky Chickens by Benjamin Zephaniah – Witty and fun, this book’s humor will captivate early readers.
  4. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats – A classic story in verse that’s beautiful and easy for younger children to connect with.
For Ages 9-11 Older children can handle more complex themes and enjoy a wider variety of poetic styles:
  1. Poems to Perform by Julia Donaldson – This collection encourages kids to perform the poems themselves, making it great for class reading groups.
  2. A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh Poetry Collection – Timeless poems with charm, humor, and whimsy that older children will appreciate.
  3. Michael Rosen's A-Z of Children's Poetry – A collection from one of the UK’s beloved children’s poets, perfect for children who want variety.
  4. The River’s A Singer by Valerie Bloom – A poetic journey through nature and life, this collection is perfect for engaging readers who are ready for deeper themes.
If you're looking for more recommendations for poetry books specifically for younger readers, especially for ages 9-11, you might want to check out this blog post “Poems for 3rd Graders”. It features a curated list of poems that are perfect for helping 3rd graders explore poetry in a fun and engaging way. Plus, the blog provides useful tips on how to incorporate these poems into activities that can spark creativity and improve literacy skills. It’s a great resource if you’re building out your reading group’s material this summer!
Poems for 3rd graders

10+ Poems For 3rd Graders To Inspire Creativity & Learning

Discover 10 inspiring poems for 3rd graders that captivate young minds. Includes meaning, teaching tips, and fun activities for the classroom. Check now!

https://worksheetzone.org/blog/poems-for-3rd-graders

VelcroManolo · 22/05/2025 14:26

Oops! Meant to post this here and instead just resurrected a zillion year old thread by accident!

I dabble with backing kickstarters and am currently watching one that looks to be doing to nursery rhymes what Revolting Rhymes did to fairy stories. Well, either that or its a clothing brand - bit hard to tell! 😂- but the yt video made my youngest laugh...

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duoHs86Gj4A

BunnyBerries · 07/05/2025 11:57

The are a bit expensive but are big heavy books with lots of famous poems in. When I read the poems, I ask my children to guess what animal etc. they think the poem is about when it isn't mentioned except in the title.

National Trust: I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree: A Nature Poem for Every Day of the Year

And

National Trust: Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright!: An Animal Poem for Every Day of the Year

Lovely books for teaching about rhyme and imagery.

Original poster
StanzaQueensUnite · 06/05/2025 07:01

Cecilly · 05/05/2025 23:42

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein was my favourite book of poems growing up and both my dc really enjoyed reading it too.

Thank you. I shall get hold of a copy!

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Original poster
StanzaQueensUnite · 06/05/2025 07:00

TheBookShelf · 05/05/2025 23:06

The Word Party (Richard Edwards, published 1980s) is a lovely collection full of fun and humour, well worth a look.

Sounds terrific! Thank you!

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Cecilly · 05/05/2025 23:42

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein was my favourite book of poems growing up and both my dc really enjoyed reading it too.

Wasywasydoodah · 05/05/2025 23:33

Michael Rosen. Jellyboots Smellyboots is awesome. As is Bananas in My Ears and We all Join In.

parietal · 05/05/2025 23:27

Julia Donaldson - Poems to Perform

it is an anthology and all suitable for primary age kids to read aloud and enjoy

https://amzn.eu/d/eGotTdJ

TheBookShelf · 05/05/2025 23:06

The Word Party (Richard Edwards, published 1980s) is a lovely collection full of fun and humour, well worth a look.

Original poster
StanzaQueensUnite · 03/05/2025 11:52

ErrolTheDragon · 02/05/2025 20:05

theyre called A Shame to Miss - age range 5-10, 8-12 and adolescent
https://www.annefine.co.uk/books/shame.php

I’ve a lovely memory of DD on holiday discovering ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’ juxtaposed with Eric Idle’s ‘All Things Dull and Ugly’ and lustily singing them.Grin

theyre called A Shame to Miss - age range 5-10, 8-12 and adolescent
https://www.annefine.co.uk/books/shame.php
That’s a great resource, thank you!

I had ‘All things bright and beautiful’ drummed in to me as a child… unfortunately 😆 … and found it far too saccharine and twee, even as a ten year old!

So delighted to know that there is an alternative version! 😁

Anne Fine: A Shame to Miss - poems for everyone

https://www.annefine.co.uk/books/shame.php

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Original poster
StanzaQueensUnite · 03/05/2025 11:45

evtheria · 02/05/2025 20:01

At that age my DS loved:
‘Beastly Verse’, especially with the incredible illustrations*
’Now We Are Six’
‘Revolting Rhymes’ and ‘Dirty Beasts’ (recall there’s the word slut in Cinderella, though)
and lots of Dr Seuss!

*this one is good for the older ones, too

Edited

Thanks evtheria

Even I remember enjoying ‘Now we are Six’ as a child, and I’m ancient! 😃

Will take a look at Beastly Verse and others thanks.

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ErrolTheDragon · 02/05/2025 20:05

theyre called A Shame to Miss - age range 5-10, 8-12 and adolescent
https://www.annefine.co.uk/books/shame.php

I’ve a lovely memory of DD on holiday discovering ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’ juxtaposed with Eric Idle’s ‘All Things Dull and Ugly’ and lustily singing them.Grin

evtheria · 02/05/2025 20:01

At that age my DS loved:
‘Beastly Verse’, especially with the incredible illustrations*
’Now We Are Six’
‘Revolting Rhymes’ and ‘Dirty Beasts’ (recall there’s the word slut in Cinderella, though)
and lots of Dr Seuss!

*this one is good for the older ones, too

Original poster
StanzaQueensUnite · 02/05/2025 19:49

ErrolTheDragon · 02/05/2025 17:43

Anne Fine did a good set of 3 anthologies, divided by age range.

Thank you ErrolTheDragon

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ErrolTheDragon · 02/05/2025 17:43

Anne Fine did a good set of 3 anthologies, divided by age range.

Original poster
StanzaQueensUnite · 02/05/2025 17:24

seahorsegrass · 01/05/2025 21:00

We adore An Imaginary Menagerie by Roger McGough - some are hilarious. All animal themed and the play on words is epic. " To amuse emu's on warm summers nights; Kiwis' do wee wees from spectacular heights" is a fun short one but lots are longer and tell a story.

Thank you for this! I’d forgotten about it. I love Roger McGough!

It’s quite interesting to see so many well known names mentioned. Is anyone coming to take their place I wonder?

Has children’s poetry moved on-line perhaps?

OP posts:
seahorsegrass · 01/05/2025 21:00

We adore An Imaginary Menagerie by Roger McGough - some are hilarious. All animal themed and the play on words is epic. " To amuse emu's on warm summers nights; Kiwis' do wee wees from spectacular heights" is a fun short one but lots are longer and tell a story.

minipie · 01/05/2025 20:52

frogshat · 01/05/2025 20:17

My DDs love ‘Please Mrs Butler’

This!!

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StanzaQueensUnite · 01/05/2025 20:49

frogshat · 01/05/2025 20:17

My DDs love ‘Please Mrs Butler’

Allan Ahlberg? 😃. I think I may have some of his illustrated books somewhere which we used to enjoy very much.

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Original poster
StanzaQueensUnite · 01/05/2025 20:44

Benvenuto · 01/05/2025 20:15

Matt Goodfellow - The Final Year is a verse novel published fairly recently. It has been extremely popular & is taught in schools.

Robert Macfarlane & Jackie Morris - The Lost Words is stunning (both artwork & poetry). I really like it & it would make a lovely present.

Thank you very much Benvenuto I’m very interested to track these down!

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Benvenuto · 01/05/2025 20:17

Also Michael Rosen has a lot of great videos of him reading his poems on his website.

frogshat · 01/05/2025 20:17

My DDs love ‘Please Mrs Butler’

Benvenuto · 01/05/2025 20:15

Matt Goodfellow - The Final Year is a verse novel published fairly recently. It has been extremely popular & is taught in schools.

Robert Macfarlane & Jackie Morris - The Lost Words is stunning (both artwork & poetry). I really like it & it would make a lovely present.

Original poster
StanzaQueensUnite · 01/05/2025 20:12

NameChangedOfc

and

Anothernamechangeasouting

Thanks very much indeed for these suggestions.

I haven’t heard of Rachel Rooney or Shirley Hughes and I will enjoy having a look … .

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