Science Verse

by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith

E SCIES

A hilarious parody of famous poems and songs show that "...if you listen closely enough, you can hear the poetry of science in everything."

-Miriam

Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant and Other Poems

by Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Carin Berger

E PRELU

Each entry is about a creature that is part animal and part inanimate object. Alarmadillos have alarm clocks for bodies, and the Ballpoint Penguins can write with their beaks. The poems are full of fun and wit, while whimsical illustrations use cut-print media, old-fashioned print images, and a variety of paper textures to create a rich visual treat well suited to the poetry.

-Mrs. K.

Where the Sidewalk Ends

written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein

J 811 SILVE

A boy who turns into a TV set and a girl who eats a whale are only two of the characters in a collection of humorous poetry illustrated with the author's own drawings.

-Laurie

A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms

edited by Paul Janeczko, illustrated by Chris Raschka

J 811 KICK

First day, new school year,

Backpack harbors a fossil. . .

Last June’s cheese sandwich.

Did you know that that funny poem by Kristine O’Connell George was NOT a haiku? It was a senryu-- although it followed the 5-7-5 syllable per line pattern like a haiku, the subject of the poem was human nature, rather than the natural world. You can learn all about the many different styles of poem-writing, and read an accessible example or two of each in this neat book, which features whimsical mixed-media illustrations by Chris Raschka.

-Vicky

Poems for Youth

by Emily Dickinson, illustrated by Thomas B. Allen

J 811 DICKI

A collection of poems for reflection and inspiration that are specifically geared toward the young.

-Barbara

Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs

by Alan Katz, illustrated by David Catrow

E KATZ

Lots of old favorites have been turned into very silly (and funny) songs and poems!

-Mrs. Kennedy

A Child's Garden of Verses

by Robert Louis Stevenson, illustrated by Tasha Tudor

J 821 STEVE

Stevenson, better known for his novels, wrote sweet verses that are a great follow-up to Mother Goose rhymes to share as your child gets a bit older. I still have many of them in my memory today.

-Dawn