5 Amazing Poetry Books for Children

Poetry is powerful. With just a few verses, a skilled poet can tug at your heartstrings, elevate your mood, or perfectly capture a moment in time. 

It’s a gloriously diverse form, too. Whether it’s a romantic sonnet or a profound haiku, poetry speaks to something inside of us, forges a connection. 

And that’s not restricted to adults, either. Children love poetry. Maybe it’s the thrill of being pulled along by a jaunty rhythm; maybe it’s the joy of a witty rhyme. 

Whatever the reason, a good poem will delight, entertain, and teach your little one—often all within the same stanza. 

March 21st is World Poetry Day, and to mark the occasion, we’ve pulled together some picks for the best poetry books for children, each guaranteed to fill your bedtime read with joy. 

But before we dive in, let’s explore some of the benefits of poetry for children.

The benefits of poetry for children

No matter the form, poetry poses huge benefits for children. 

Whether it’s expanding their vocabulary, helping them to express themselves, or simply supporting a love of language and literature, poetry has everything. 

In many cases, the tongue-twistingly satisfying nature of a clever rhyme can be the gateway onto a love of books, encouraging your little one to seek out more. 

The same is true of rhythm. Poetry doesn’t move—it dances. It gleefully skips from line to line, verse to verse, turning reading (or listening to) it into an adventure. 

It’s why poetry books for children are so highly recommended by educators. They’re a powerful tool for improving literacy and developing a love of reading. 

And the benefits aren’t strictly academic, either. 

According to research by the National Literacy Trust, poetry can also have a significant impact on your little one’s confidence, mental well-being, and aptitude for learning. 

And the best bit? There’s no ‘right’ type of poetry. Poems of all shapes and sizes carry unique and powerful academic and emotional benefits. 

Poetry Books for Children: Our Picks

Eager to expose your little one to the joys of poetry? We’ve got you. 

From the joyful to the profound, the absurd to the just plain clever, our poetry picks will twist your little one’s tongue and expand their mind. 

What’s not to love?

We’ve chosen poems for young children from a diverse range of poets, covering topics of togetherness, courage, and self-belief. 

As you’re reading together, be sure to discuss the poems with your little one. Ask them if they like the poem, and why. Ask them how it makes them feel. 

Every answer will help you to identify what works for them (and what doesn’t.) 

Let’s dive into our picks, shall we? 

1. People Need People

Author: Benjamin Zephaniah
Illustrator: Nila Aye

An uplifting story of togetherness and community, People Need People is a timely reminder of the power of friendship, with a delightfully simple rhyming pattern. 

Written by Handsworth-born literary legend Benjamin Zephaniah, the poem bristles with his trademark optimism and wit and brims with quiet wisdom. 

It’s a poem that soothes and educates, carrying a beautiful message that becomes stronger with each read. (And you’ll definitely read it multiple times.) 

The book itself is beautiful, too, with colourful illustrations by award-winning artist Nila Aye, each adding a layer to Zephaniah’s words. 

A perfect entry point into the world of poetry. 

2. The Rhyming Rabbit

Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Lydia Monks

A madcap rush through a whirlwind of rhyme and wonder, The Rhyming Rabbit is an utter delight to read aloud, and bursting with clever wordplay.

A hybrid of traditional picture book and poem, the story follows a rhyme-obsessed rabbit as he seeks to bring his poetry to the masses—and the unique friendships he forges along the way. 

With a rhythm that rattles like a drumbeat and rhymes sure to stick in your little one’s head (and yours), it’s a perfectly measured poetry book for children. 

An almost literal ode to creativity, The Rhyming Rabbit is a delight for the whole family and may even get your little one cooking up some poems of their own. 

3. Everything Possible

Author: Fred Small
Illustrator: Alison Brown

A heartwarming reflection on the power of inclusivity, Everything Possible is as powerful today as it was when it was first published forty years ago.

Swooping and looping like a gentle lullaby, Everything Possible teaches self-acceptance and self-belief, encouraging children to live boldly and authentically, and to chase their dreams, no matter what. 

Written to lift the spirits of a nine-year-old boy, baffled and upset by masculine stereotypes, the poem celebrates people of all types and challenges social norms. 

And with soft, pastel illustrations by Alison Brown, the book itself is as beautiful as its message, making it an ideal poetry book to inspire young children. 

4. Ready for Spaghetti

Author: Michel Rosen
Illustrator: Polly Dunbar

Poetry is a diverse medium.

For every wise meditation on the world we live in, there’s a mayhem-fuelled rhyme-fest that revels in witty wordplay and absurd imagery. 

The penultimate entry on our list of the best poetry books for children falls firmly in the latter category and is packed with the kind of riotous energy that little brains can truly relate to. 

But beneath the anarchic energy there’s a genuine wisdom, as the poems in the anthology explore topics that young readers can relate to, including meal times, birthdays and bath time. 

Warning: the rhymes are addictive and the rhythms are downright danceable. Expect many readthroughs. 

5. Dear Earth

Author: Isabel Otter
Illustrator: Clara Anganuzzi

If there’s one thing poetry truly excels at, it’s communicating huge issues in accessible, emotionally resonant ways. 

And that accessibility is doubly important when it comes to children, who’ll often be encountering these issues for the first time. 

Thank goodness, then, for Dear Earth—a deceptively simple yet immensely imaginative poem exploring the natural world and the challenges it faces. 

Framed as a letter written by a young girl named Tess, the poem sweeps us off on a trip around the planet, taking in everything from the deepest oceans to the busiest corners of the Serengeti.

Supported by lush, calming illustrations, Dear Earth straddles the line between poetry and prose, making it an ideal first step into the wonderful world of verse.

And there you have it. A fantastic feast of children’s poetry books, perfect for starting or expanding your little one’s collection.

Need more literary inspiration? Check out our blog, where you’ll find articles on everything from tips to expand your child’s vocabulary to tips to bring storytelling to life.