Research has proven many times over that reading with young people is the best way to encourage them to become readers themselves and improve writing skills. Known good-naturedly as the "lap method," reading tutoring enables them to see, hear and follow the text, pictures and pages of books. Subtly, children learn to read from left-to-right, use expressive voices, and use vivid language and a bigger vocabulary whenever a book is read aloud.
Reading poetry adds creative, artistic and emotional qualities in ways that storybooks sometimes cannot. Rhythm and rhyme are essential to the human spirit. They convey security with their soothing beat. They provide a comfortable context from which children can predict what comes next. As your children remember and sometimes memorize passage after passage, they will become better readers, do better on school standardized tests and improve elementary study skills by using poetic patterns to make connections on their own.
Just as poetry is often predictable, it is sometimes wildly experimental. Sudden changes in wording, silly switches of sounds and daffy twists of the tongue make poetry books into special reading adventures that will also lure reluctant readers.
Some of the poetry books reviewed here are filled with pleasant rhythms and soothing, predictable sound patterns. Others flash and sparkle with unexpected word play. We have included a book of 'poem stories' for older children.
Some of these adventures can hold their own against the most exciting video games. The sounds of poetry will be a lullaby for your baby and an emotionally and intellectually satisfying experience for your children of any age. The images created in the mind will focus the soul of the reader on places where one may never have thought to look for treasure.
Animal Trunk: Silly Poems to Read Aloud
Charles Ghigna, Harry N. Abrams Inc.
For ages 2-7
If you would like to introduce a very young child to poetry, take a look at this lively collection of animal rhymes. The form of the poems is very simple and repetitive through the book:
Chickens peck,
Chickens peep,
Chickens cluck
In their sleep.
Chickens live
In a coop.
Chickens hate
Chicken soup.
The simple rhyme patterns will encourage participation and memorization. The wonderful silliness of the poems and the vibrant illustrations will make this book a "read-it-again!" favorite.
Old Elm Speaks-Tree Poems
Kristine O'Connell George, Clarion Books
For ages 5 to adult
The ancient mystical relationship between trees and people fills this book that reveals the greatest reason to read poetry with your child: when it's very good, a poem can knock the wind out of you! Poetry can elicit a great emotional response when it is pure and efficient like many pieces in this book.
Polka Bats and Octopus Slacks
Calef Brown, Houghton Mifflin Co.
For ages 6-12
If you know a young person who responds to absurdity, someone who would appreciate the world slightly askew, then check out this book! This rollicking collection of poetry is to language what Magritte was to art--a combination of different ideas that make the mind do mental gymnastics. Consider such titles as Sleeping Fruit, Skeleton on Flowers, and The Bathtub Driver. It's a wonderful, wild ride!
The Oxford Book of Story Poems
Michael Harrison and Christopher Stuart-Clark, Oxford University Press
For ages 12 and up
This story poem book is a wonderful two-fer; great poetry used to tell great stories. There are short poems, funny poems, famous poems and new poems. Take journeys into mystery, adventures on the high seas, and discover supernatural encounters. Find old favorites like The Owl and the Pussycat and new favorites like The Hairy Toe!
Page after page, poem stories rip and roar, fly and tickle, scare and joke. There is dark, dark evil and bright, fairy light. This collection will fill kids' minds with images, sounds, words and tales to remember forever.
Gwynne L. Issacs and Paul Blundin are a married team of veteran kindergarten teachers in the Philadelphia School District. Gwynne also has several children's book titles to her credit. Both have recognized and used the simple power of poetry to teach reading in their classrooms. They also know that poetry takes the human spirit to wonderful places.