Friday Library Recommendations: Poetry
Yesterday, poems filled the air,
National Poetry Day was everywhere.
With sonnets, haiku, verse in style,
Words to make you stop and smile.
To celebrate National Poetry Day yesterday, this week’s theme is poetry featuring a book to bring out your inner poet, and two verse novels.
First, I’ve chosen You’re A Poet by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Sam Usher, a heartwarming picture book is a wonderful introduction to the joy of poetry for children.
A collection of five gentle and engaging stories featuring Piglet, a curious and thoughtful little character who sees the world in a creative way, each one celebrates small but meaningful moments of childhood from jumping in puddles to daydreaming about being a cloud, while gently introducing a different kind of poem that readers can try for themselves.
The poems are cleverly woven into the stories, making the writing process feel natural and playful rather than intimidating. Readers are introduced to five poem styles: a puddle poem, a comparing poem, a making-a-person-out-of-something poem, an if-I-was poem, and an I-would-give-you poem. Each one is explained with simple guidance, making it perfect for budding poets.
Sam Usher’s charming illustrations bring Piglet’s world to life with warmth and humour, creating a cosy, inviting atmosphere that encourages readers to use their imaginations. The combination of storytelling and poetry makes this book both educational and enjoyable – a great way to help children express themselves creatively through words.
A perfect addition to any home or school bookshelf, it reminds children and grown-ups that poetry is for everyone, and that we all have the heart of a poet inside us.
Next, I’ve picked Wise up! Wise Down! by John Agard and JonArno Lawson, illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura, a book that will get both children and adults thinking, laughing, and asking big, and brilliantly silly questions!
In this imaginative and joyful collection, poets John Agard and JonArno Lawson embark on a poetic conversation that is both funny and profound. With questions like, “Do pigeons ever get a craving for cake?” and, “Why do days have names but not weeks?”, the book encourages readers to look at the world with curiosity and wonder. It’s a brilliant reminder that poetry doesn’t always have to be serious, it can be playful, puzzling and even a bit bonkers!
The poems are written as a dialogue between two friends, bouncing ideas off each other with warmth and humour. This unique style makes the book perfect for reading aloud, and can easily spark discussions or even inspire children to write their own poems in response.
Satoshi Kitamura’s illustrations are, as always, a delight. His quirky, expressive drawings perfectly match the tone of the poems and add an extra layer of charm and character to each page.
A fantastic way to introduce children to the joys of poetry, while reminding adults that wonder and imagination have no age limit, this is a poetry book that invites you to slow down, smile, and see the world in a wonderfully different way.
And finally, I’ve chosen Love That Dog by Sharon Creech. Written entirely in free verse, this short novel tells the story of Jack, a reluctant young writer who, with the encouragement of his teacher Miss Stretchberry, slowly discovers that poetry isn’t just something grown-ups write, it’s something he can write too.
At first, Jack doesn’t believe he can write poetry. He doesn’t understand why poems matter or how they work. But as the story unfolds, told entirely through Jack’s own writing, we see his confidence grow. Inspired by the poems he reads in class (all helpfully included at the back of the book), Jack begins to find his voice, and with it, the courage to write about something deeply personal: his beloved dog.
What makes this book so special is how simply and honestly it deals with big emotions. Jack’s journey shows children that poetry doesn’t need to rhyme or follow rules; it just needs to be true. Through humour, honesty, and heartbreak, Love That Dog demonstrates the power of words to help us understand and express feelings that are sometimes hard to say out loud.
This is a moving and beautifully written book that resonates with children and adults alike. Highly recommended for children, parents, teachers, and anyone who’s ever loved a dog.
Happy reading!
