Science Verse by Jon Scieszka

Science Verse

Author: Jon Scieszka
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Genre: Poetry
Awards: Golden Duck Award, Dorothy Canfield Fisher Nominee
Grade Level: 3-5

Both educational and entertaining, this book features poems that introduce students to scientific concepts and principles. When a boy in Mr. Newton's science class becomes cursed with the "science verse," he hears everything as a science poem. Many different concepts, such as the water cycle and the food chain, are expressed through funny rhymes.

The illustrations are eye-catching and supportive to the poems meaning.

This book would compliment any science lesson that is mentioned in the poems. Also, readers can compare some of the original poems to the adaptions in this story.

If Peas Could Taste Like Candy by Crystal Bowman

If Peas Could Taste Like Candy

Author: Crystal Bowman
Illustrator: Lynn Jeffrey
Genre: Poetry
Awards: N/A
Grade Level: K-4

Covering a wide range of subjects, these poems reflect a child's natural curiosity and imagination. rhythm and rhyme are on every page.

The illustrations are very colorful and attention grabbing. They will pull readers into the stories.

This book could be read to the class while the students clap out the rhythm.

The Llama Who Had No Pajama: 100 Favorite Poems by Mary Ann Hoberman

The Llama Who Had No Pajama: 100 Favorite Poems

Author: Mary Ann Hoberman
Illustrator: Betty Fraser
Genre: Poetry
Awards: N/A
Grade Level: 1-3

These modern, silly poems feature many topics including animals, people, opposites and wordplay. The scenarios are funny and intriguing and the author uses many devices like alliteration.

The illustrations in this collection are modern and seem like they are from a typical picture book. Students will find the art style engaging and familiar.

Because these poems are so inviting and well-liked by students, teachers could encourage students to repeatedly read their favorite poems to build fluency.

A Book of Nonsense by Edward Lear

A Book of Nonsense

Author/Illustrator: Edward Lear
Genre: Poetry
Awards: N/A
Grade Level: 2-5

As the title suggests, this collection of poetry is unusual and nonsensical. Lear uses rhymes (and mostly limericks) to express crazy ideas and also make the reader laugh. The poems are light hearted and although they lack depth and meaning, they are entertaining from a comical standpoint.

The illustrations are sketches that contain very little color. They enhance the poems by visually expressing the humor that Lear also conveys through the text.

This books is full of examples of limericks. Students could use this book to view samples before writing their own limerick.

I Like This Poem by Kaye Webb

I Like This Poem

Author: Kaye Webb (collection of many authors)
Illustrator: Anthony Maitland
Genre: Poetry
Awards: N/A
Grade Level: 2-5

This is a collection of poems by many different authors, old and new. The poems have been selected by children and feature a wide range of topics and themes and include both comic and dramatic poems.

The illustrations are colorful and imaginative. Students will love how the pictures vary to compliment each poem.

This book will be useful to compare different poets and styles of poetry. Because it contains such a diverse set of writers, the book will include something that interests every student.

The Complete Poems of Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

The Complete Poems of Winnie the Pooh

Author: A.A. Milne
Illustrator: Ernest H. Shepherd
Genre: Poetry
Awards: N/A
Grade Level: K-4

These poems are about the familiar characters who live in the Hundred Acre Wood. The poems are about all of their different adventures and display Pooh's quirky sense of humor that children love.

The illustrations create an enchanting world where the characters live. Children will love the soft colors and simple backgrounds.

In a classroom, this book will provide inspiration and examples of different rhyming schemes.

A Pizza the Size of the Sun by Jack Prelutsky

A Pizza the Size of the Sun

Author: Jack Prelutsky
Illustrator: James Stevenson
Genre: Poetry
Awards: N/A
Grade Level: 1-5

"A Pizza the Size of the Sun" is a book filled with a collection of poems. This poetry book is filled with quirky characters along with a lot of rhyme and rhythm. The poems are about different topics and feature different styles of poetry.

The illustrations are funny and will draw readers into the poems. There is a lot of variety in the layout of the pages.

Students could use this story as an example for different forms of poetry. The book uses different rhyme schemes as well as different styles.

A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein

A Light in the Attic

Author/Illustrator: Shel Silverstein
Genre: Poetry
Awards: Garden State Award, Young Reader's Book Award, William Allen White Award
Grade Level: 3-5

This collection of whimsical and quirky poems includes topics about many topics such as monsters, pirates, children, and animals. They are humorous and clever.

The drawings in this book are simple, black and white sketches. They add a comical element to the poems.

These poems will not only entice readers through their humor, but also engage readers on an emotional level. Students can use this book as an inspiration to write their own poetry.

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

Where the Sidewalk Ends

Author/Illustrator: Shel Silverstein
Genre: Poetry
Grade level: K-4


This collection of poems combines cleverness and humor in each poem. The poems are diverse and include a diverse set of topics. The poems are each similar in style. They are short, funny, and witty.

The illustrations are black and white sketch-type drawings. They match the poems and are quite hilarious. They are similar to comic book art.

As in many poems, these are great examples of rhyme, rhythm, and alliteration. I would find it useful as way to spark in interest in poetry for children who think they don't like poetry or have no experience with poetry.

Favorite Poems Old and New by Helen Ferris

Favorite Poems Old and New

Author: Helen Ferris
Illustrator: Leonard Weisgard
Genre: Poetry
Grade level: 2-5

This collection of classic and modern poems include a variety of topics and styles. The poems are grouped by areas of interests like as animals and nature. The set is very diverse, as the author includes playful, funny poems, and also somber and serious poems.  

Although the book is primarily text, the illustrator does include a few black and white ink drawings. These illustrations are not the main focus of the book by any means, but they do serve to break up the layout of the page to make the text seem more readable, as well as provide a small source of visual artwork to accompany the poems.

I would choose to include this collection in my classroom library because of the way the poems are sectioned. Students can search for poems by topic, depending on what they are interested in. This is also a good example to show students for different rhyming patterns. The author uses many different patterns and even includes some poems that do not rhyme at all.