April is National Poetry Month, so we were excited to check out these new poetry books for kids! This list includes board books and anthologies featuring fun poems about topics that kids can understand and enjoy!

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Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Written by Fred Rogers and illustrated by Luke Flowers

This board book uses the lyrics of the Mister Rogers’ song “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” and pairs it with brightly colored cartoon illustrations. The artwork features Mister Rogers as he greets neighbors and friends of all ages, races, and careers. This book is a great way to explore the concept of community with little ones.

It’s You I Like

Written by Fred Rogers and illustrated by Luke Flowers

This companion to “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” pairs the lyrics of another popular Mister Rogers song with joyful and colorful illustrations. This heartwarming book teaches kids that what is inside them counts a lot more than what is outside. The illustrations feature a diverse cast of characters, sharing big and small moments, and smiling images of Mister Rogers spreading kindness.

Related Post: Fun Poetry Anthologies for Kids

Take Off Your Brave: The World Through the Eyes of a Preschool Poet

Written by Nadim (age 4) and his sister Taleen and illustrated by Yasmeen Ismail

This beautiful anthology includes heartwarming, thoughtful, and funny poems written by a young boy and his sister. The beginning of the book has an introduction from Nadim’s mother, explaining how he was inspired to start writing poetry, and how kids can be inspired to share their view of the world through poetry as well. Some of the themes explored in the book include sea life, feeling safe at home, friendship, and love. Each poem is accompanied by mixed media illustrations.

Behold Our Magical Garden: Poems Fresh From a School Garden

Written by Allan Wolf and illustrated by Daniel Duncan

This poetry anthology celebrates all the magic to be found in gardens. From seeds and germination to birds, flowers, and compost, this book covers life and growth in gardens through the seasons. The illustrations were created digitally, and they highlight the subject of each poem with cute cartoons and bright colors. The back of the book includes an author’s note explaining how his author visits to different school gardens inspired him. There are also notes on each poem in the book, encouraging readers to look deeper into the structure of the poems.

Marshmallow Clouds: Two Poets at Play among Figures of Speech

Written by Ted Kooser and Connie Wanek and illustrated by Richard Jones

This anthology features poems about imagination, inspired by the four elements: fire, water, air, and earth. Each two page spread features a different poem about looking at the world in a different way, paired with beautifully painted illustrations bursting with color. The back of the book includes an afterword by both poets celebrating imagination, and featuring a poem of theirs from when they were younger.

Away with Words: Wise & Witty Poems for Language Lovers

Written by Mary Ann Hoberman and illustrated by Perry Hoberman

This collection of poems teaches kids about language, grammar, and punctuation through fun rhymes. The poems are collected in alphabetical order, and touch on all kinds of language topics including alliteration, punctuation marks, the difference between lay and lie, and more. They are paired with funny cartoon illustrations that kids will love. This is a fun way to introduce language rules and concepts to beginning readers in a creative way.

Related Post: Children’s Books about Language Arts

My Big Book of Outdoors

Written by Tim Hopgood

This large book celebrates the beauty of nature through the four seasons. The book is broken up into sections based upon Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Each section includes poems about the season, interesting facts about the sights, sounds, and smells of the season, and fun activities that kids can do to celebrate the given season. The large, detailed illustrations are done in mixed media, using different textures and vivid colors to explore the sights and colors of nature.

Do you have any new poetry books for kids that you are enjoying? Share them in the comments!

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