6 Poetry Books Every Kid Should Grow Up With
From Sidewalks to Wonder
Poetry is where imagination first learns to speak. For kids, it’s not just about rhymes and rhythm — it’s about curiosity, courage, and finding magic in the everyday. The best poetry books for children don’t just teach them words; they teach them to see. Whether it’s a stick that becomes a sword, a verse that moves like a song, or a page that feels like a daydream, these books remind us that poetry is play.
If you’re looking to introduce a young reader to the wonder of language (or reawaken it in yourself), here are six poetry books that belong on every child’s shelf — all featured on my Best Poetry Books for Kids list on Bookshop.org.
1. A Stick Is an Excellent Thing by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
This collection celebrates the kind of creativity that doesn’t need batteries or Wi-Fi. Each poem captures the joy of outdoor play — hopscotch, hide-and-seek, jumping rope — and LeUyen Pham’s lively illustrations dance right alongside Singer’s rhythmic verse. It’s the perfect reminder that a stick really is an excellent thing — especially when imagination is your favorite toy.
2. Hip Hop Speaks to Children edited by Nikki Giovanni
Poetry has always been music, and Hip Hop Speaks to Children brings that truth home. This anthology — with contributions from Langston Hughes to Queen Latifah — shows how rhythm, rhyme, and voice connect generations. Nikki Giovanni’s curation makes it both a cultural education and a jam session on the page. There’s even a companion CD that turns reading into an all-out performance.
3. A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson, illustrated by Tasha Tudor
A timeless classic, Stevenson’s verses have been lulling children into dreamlands for over a century. Tasha Tudor’s gentle watercolor illustrations pair beautifully with Stevenson’s nostalgic language, reminding readers that the inner world of a child — full of daydreams, shadows, and make-believe — is as rich and poetic as any grown-up’s. It’s a book that feels like childhood bottled in rhyme.
4. Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets by Kwame Alexander, Chris Colderley, and Marjory Wentworth
Winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, this collection introduces kids to the joy of reading like a poet. Each poem pays tribute to a legendary writer — from Pablo Neruda to Maya Angelou — while encouraging young readers to find their own voice. The language sparkles, the art (by Ekua Holmes) glows, and the message is clear: poetry isn’t something distant or dusty. It’s alive, and it’s yours to inherit.
5. A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
Shel Silverstein’s mischievous verses and doodles are the perfect entry point for kids who think poetry is “boring.” In A Light in the Attic, Silverstein invites us to laugh, question, and think sideways. His humor hides deep truths — about growing up, being odd, and loving words for their own strange shapes. It’s the kind of book that gets passed down, dog-eared and loved to pieces.
6. Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
No list of children’s poetry would be complete without this one. Silverstein’s iconic debut is where generations have first fallen in love with the magic of the line break. Funny, subversive, and endlessly quotable, it reminds us that the sidewalk doesn’t end — it just leads us somewhere new. Every time you open it, you step into that world again.
Why Poetry for Kids Still Matters
In an age of screens and short attention spans, poetry teaches kids to slow down, listen, and look closer. It’s language distilled — the heart of storytelling and the seed of empathy. Each of these books offers something a little different: laughter, rhythm, history, and imagination. Together, they create a lifelong love of words that grows right alongside the reader.
Ready to get lost in a new world?
You can explore and purchase all these titles (and more!) on my curated Best Poetry Books for Kids list over at Bookshop.org. Each book supports independent bookstores — and each poem opens a door.
