100 Poetry Books for Children (Ages 6-12)

Sharing poetry during these pivotal years of childhood is an important component in developing their literacy skills, as well as broadening their appreciation of literature in all forms. In fact, research commissioned by the Poetry Foundation found that “most poetry readers (80 percent) first encounter poetry as children, at home or in school.” Fortunately, there are many, many excellent works available for sharing with this age group. Here are 100 exemplary titles to get you started.

The list begins:

1. Adoff, Arnold. 2010. Roots and Blues, A Celebration. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
2. Agee, Jon. 2009. Orangutan Tongs; Poems to Tangle Your Tongue. New York: Disney-Hyperion.
3. Alarcón, Francisco X. 2005. Poems to Dream Together/ Poemas para Sonar Juntos. New York: Lee & Low.
4. Andrews, Julie and Hamilton, Emma Watson. 2009. Julie Andrews' Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies. Ill. by James McMullan. New York: Little, Brown.
5. Argueta, Jorge. 2001. A Movie in My Pillow/Una película en mi almohada. San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press.

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