Silverstein and Prelutsky Poetry Book Read-Alikes

In survey after survey, we find many libraries hold multiple copies of Shel Silverstein’s poetry collections. His work is a staple of children’s poetry for several decades now. Jack Prelutsky follows in being represented in most library collections with his zany humor and musical rhythms. Here are additional poets to recommend when young readers ask for “more like this” with one sample title suggested for each poet. These poets each have their own unique and distinctive style, of course, but they offer some of the same qualities in humor, wordplay, topic, or style that young readers appreciate about Silverstein’s and Prelutsky’s poetry.

If you like Shel Silverstein… try:

John Ciardi, for starters

For more details, get your copy of The Poetry Teacher’s Book of Lists.

And if you already have the book and would like to offer additions, corrections, or other input, please do so in the COMMENTS area. Thanks!