The Treasury of Read-Alouds

POETRY BOOKS page 1 of 1

The Cremation of Sam McGee

by Robert W. Service; Ted Harrison, illus.      Gr. 4 and up      30 pages      Greenwillow, 1987

Once one of the most memorized poems in North America, this remains the best description of the sun’s strange spell over the men who toil in the North. After seeing this edition, you will find it difficult to hear the words without picturing Harrison’s artwork. Also by the author and illustrator: The Shooting of Dan McGrew. Two excellent collections of Service poetry: Best Tales of the Yukon and Collected Poems of Robert Service.

Danitra Brown, Class Clown

by Nikki Grimes; E. B. Lewis, illus.      Gr. 4-7      32 pages      HarperCollins, 2005

One of today’s most acclaimed poets, Grimes uses fourteen short poems to trace the school year for two African-American friends, touching the highs and lows for the pair who are as different as night and day in their outlooks. The title comes from the poem in which Zuri passes a note that is intercepted by a boy and read aloud to the class. Dinitra knew this would be more embarrassment than Zuri could stand, so she immediately jumped up and acted like a clown in front of the class, offering just enough distraction to save her friend. This volume is the substance of friendship and childhood for middle graders.

If You’re Not Here, Please Raise Your Hand: Poems About School

By Kalli Dakos; G. Brian Karas, illus.     Gr. 1–8      64 pages      Simon, 1990

As a classroom teacher, Kalli Dakos has been down in the trenches with all the silliness, sadness, and happiness of elementary school. Can’t you tell just from the title? Also by the author: Don’t Read This Book What Ever You Do! Related books: I Thought I’d Take My Rat to School: Poems for September to June, selected by Dorothy M. Kennedy; Lunch Money and Other Poems About School by Carol D. Shields; Somebody Catch My Homework and A Thousand Cousins, both by David L. Harrison.

The New Kid on the Block

by Jack Prelutsky; James Stevenson, illus.      Gr. K–4      160 pages      Greenwillow, 1984

One of the most prolific poets for children, Prelutsky has collected more than a hundred of his most outrageous and comical characters, attempting simply to amuse and please children—which he does, for example, with a poem about the taken-for-granted blessings of having your nose on your face instead of in your ear, and the one about Sneaky Sue who started playing hide-and-seek a month ago and still can’t be found. Also by the author: The Dragons Are Singing Tonight; It’s Raining Pigs and Noodles; Nightmares: Poems to Trouble Your Sleep; A Pizza the Size of the Sun; Random House Book of Poetry (below); and Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young.

The Random House Book of Poetry for Children

Selected By Jack Prelutsky      Gr. K–5      248 pages      Random House, 1983

One of the best children’s poetry anthologies ever, showing that poet Jack Prelutsky recognizes the common language of children. The 572 selected poems (from both traditional and contemporary poets) are short—but long on laughter, imagery, and rhyme. They are grouped into fourteen categories that include food, goblins, nonsense, home, children, animals, and seasons.

Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young

Collected By Jack Prelutsky; Marc Brown, illus.      Tod–K      88 pages      Knopf, 1986

Here are more than 200 little poems (with full-color illustrations) for little people with little attention spans, to help both to grow.

Where the Sidewalk Ends

by Shel Silverstein      Gr. K–8      166 pages      Harper, 1974

Without question, this is the best-loved collection of poetry for children, selling more than two million hardcover copies in twenty-five years. When it comes to knowing children’s appetites, Silverstein was pure genius. The titles alone are enough to bring children to rapt attention: “Bandaids”; “Boa Constrictor”; “Crocodile’s Toothache”; “The Dirtiest Man in the World”; and “Recipe for a Hippopotamus Sandwich.” Here are 130 poems that will either touch childen’s hearts or tickle their funny bones. Also by the author: A Light in the Attic; and the short novel, Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back. Listen to a 50-minute memorial tribute to Silverstein (May 11, 1999) on NPR's "Talk of the Nation," online at: www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1049873.