April is National Poetry Month

As a reminder April is National Poetry Month. In honor of this coming month, here are a few books to get you started and to consider checking out at the library. Why start this early? Because, you'll want to get some poetry books checked out before the selection is slim.

You Be Good & I'll Be Night: Jump-on-the-Bed Poems
by Eve Merriam illustrated by Karen Lee Schmidt
Summary: "A fun and lively first poetry book for children. Between the sweet poems and funny rhymes there is something for everyone."



The Frogs Wore Red Suspenders by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by Petra Mathers
Summary: "Includes nonsensical, often somewhat geographical poems for preschoolers and early readers such as a granny who lost her footing and fell into pudding, elephants who sit in trees and sneeze, a small hen who is stuck at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, etc."


And for that hard to get to read anything person try: Dinosaurs Forever by William Wise and illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
Summary: Hilarious rhyming poems with dinosaurs as the main emphasis. It also includes a pronunciation guide to help with the dinosaurs scientific names.

Also, check out BookHive's list for a variety of poetry books. They include books for all ages with descriptive reviews.

Online Sources on Poetry

• Children's Poetry in the Poetry Zone - This is a "How To Write Poems" site and is good for grades 3 to 6. Explains how to write acrostics,funny poems, haiku, limericks, etc.
• Giggle Poetry - This is another really could place to visit for kids just learning how write or appreciate poetry. Plus, there are a number of fun activities.
• Fern's Poetry Club - Fern from the Arthur's PBS show "runs" this site. Kids can learn to write poems, but also submit them for publication consideration on the site. Each day a new poem is featured. Kids can see what others are writing as well.

Now matter what you like to read there are a variety of types of poetry and topics that I am sure you will find to please even the most finicky reader.

A poem a day brings a smile to the face.