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.

Dirt on My Shirt

by Jeff foxworthy; Steve Bjorkman, illus.;    Gr. K–3    28 pages    HarperCollins, 2008

The popular comedian-songwriter takes us through the neighborhood and family, uncovering the funny foibles of one and all, with watercolor art by one of today's underappreciated illustrators. Be sure to check out the copyright page for a list of hidden objects in the illustrations.

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 Neighborhood Sing-Along

Photographed by Nina Crews     Gr. Tod–K    64 pages    HarperCollins, 2011

Those favorite childhood singsongs from the classroom, bedroom, and playground (“Do Your Ears Hang Low?” or “The Wheels on the Bus”) are all illustrated in glorious color with children of every hue from every kind of neighborhood. What Crews did for nursery rhymes with The Neighborhood Mother Goose she’s done equally well with song. Every home and classroom should own this.

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.

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 a short novel, Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back.