[Grades 1-2] Poems for Children

The most accessible and joyous introduction to the world of poetry!The Random House Book of Poetry for Children offers both funny and illuminating poems for kids personally selected by the nation's first Children's Poet Laureate, Jack Prelutsky. Featuring a wealth of beloved classic poems from the past and modern glittering gems, every child who opens this treasury will finda world of surprises and delights which will instill a lifelong love of poetry. Featuring 572 unforgettable poems, and over 400 one-of-a-kind illustrations from the Caldecott-winning illustrator of the Frog and Toad series, Arnold Lobel, this collection is, quite simply, the perfect way to introduce children to the world of poetry.

Poor Dick and Sally. It's cold and wet and they're stuck in the house with nothing to do . . . until a giant cat in a hat shows up, transforming the dull day into a madcap adventure and almost wrecking the place in the process! Written by Dr. Seuss in 1957 in response to the concern that "pallid primers [with] abnormally courteous, unnaturally clean boys and girls' were leading to growing illiteracy among children, The Cat in the Hat (the first Random House Beginner Book) changed the way our children learn how to read.

William Blake, Kate Greenaway, Emily Dickinson: the writers in this charming anthology of 200 poems—first published in 1969—are among literature’s most beloved. And Gyo Fujikawa’s appealing illustrations depict children of all races sweetly interacting, as well as an engagingly rendered menagerie of animals and the natural world in all its wonderment. Among the verses that children will love are Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “Christmas Bells,” Lewis Carroll’s “The Melancholy Pig,” and Eugene Fields’ “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” along with proverbs, limericks, nursery rhymes, and folk songs.

Follow the adventures of the Owl and the Pussy-cat in a beautifully illustrated new edition of the beloved classic.Edward Lear’s lyrical rhyme about an unusual couple who sail far, far away has delighted and captivated readers for generations. With expressive illustrations by Charlotte Voake and a forward by master storyteller Julia Donaldson, this is a book to be treasured by Lear fans young and old.

A paean to play from an award-winning poet and a New York Times best-selling illustrator. The trappings of childhood change from generation to generation, but there are some timeless activities that every kid loves. Marilyn Singer and LeUyen Pham celebrate these universal types of play, from organized games such as hide-and-seek and hopscotch to imaginative play such as making mud soup or turning a stick into a magic wand. Lyrical poems and bold illustrations capture the energy of a group of children in one neighborhood as they amuse themselves over the course of a summer day. At a time when childhood obesity rates are soaring and money is tight for many families, here is a book that invites readers to join in the fun of active play with games that cost nothing.

The owls, hen, larks, and their nests in his beard, are among the fey fauna and peculiar persons inhabiting the uniquely inspired nonsense rhymes and drawings of Lear (20th child of a London stockbroker), whose Book of Nonsense, first published in 1846, stands alone as the ultimate and most loved expression in English of freewheeling, benign, and unconstricted merriment.

A collection of wacky, whimsical poems about books and all the treasures they contain--honored with the Minnesota Book Award; NCTE Notable; Bank Street Best Books; Librarians' Choice; Honor Book - Gelett Burgess Center for Creative Expression; White Ravens book; and Nerdy Book Award. Laura Purdie Salas, the acclaimed author of Stampede!, is back with another collection of wild and weird, wacky and winsome poems about all the magic to be found on a single bookshelf. In BookSpeak!, each poem gives voice to a group that seldom gets a voice . . . the books themselves! Characters plead for sequels, book jackets strut their stuff, and we get a sneak peek at the raucous parties in the aisles when all the lights go out at the bookstore!Illustrator Josée Bisaillon's mixture of collage, drawings, and digital montage presents page after page of richly colored spreads filled with action and charm. Together, Salas and Bisaillon deliver a unique collection brimming with ideas as much about spines and dust jackets as they are about adventure and imagination.

This Dr. Seuss classic starring Sam-I-Am will have readers of all ages craving Green Eggs and Ham! And don’t miss the new series adaption of Green Eggs and Ham now available on Netflix – featuring the voice talents of Michael Douglas, Diane Keaton, Daveed Diggs, and more! “Do you like green eggs and ham?” asks Sam-I-am in this Beginner Book by Dr. Seuss. In a house or with a mouse? In a boat or with a goat? On a train or in a tree? Sam keeps asking persistently. With unmistakable characters and signature rhymes, Dr. Seuss’s beloved favorite has cemented its place as a children’s classic. In this most famous of cumulative tales, the list of places to enjoy green eggs and ham, and friends to enjoy them with, gets longer and longer. Follow Sam-I-am as he insists that this unusual treat is indeed a delectable snack to be savored everywhere and in every way. Originally created by Dr. Seuss, Beginner Books encourage children to read all by themselves, with simple words and illustrations that give clues to their meaning."Pretty much all the stuff you need to know is in Dr. Seuss." —President Barack Obama

“Rising above the usual singsong name-checking, Vestergaard celebrates not only the jobs these machines perform but also their marvelous mechanics.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)Sixteen boisterous, rhyming poems—each one highlighting the job and personality of a different vehicle, from a backhoe to an ambulance to a snowplow—introduce young children to their favorite trucks face-to-face. Cheerful illustrations show each one in action, digging (or dozing, or dumping) away. Each truck and big machine in these enticing rhyming poems is different, and little readers are invited to find a vehicle that’s like them.

A nonfiction picture book of poetry about fascinating insects with accompanying facts, notes, and illustrations by the Caldecott-winning Melissa Sweet.Pray tell us, Mr. Mantis,Do you pray or simply prey?Do you scout about for victims Or fold your hands all day?In addition to the playful rhyming poems, the supplementary text highlights surprising facts about bugs of all kinds―from familiar ants to exotic dragonflies, cringe-worthy ticks and magnificent fireflies. Melissa Sweet’s collage-inspired mixed-media illustrations beautifully render these creatures and compliment the poems’ whimsical tones. This is an enchanting and informative look at a perennial topic of interest for kids―cool bugs!A Christy Ottaviano Book

Named one of the Best Children's Books of 2012 by Kirkus Reviews!Named one of the top Children's Books of 2012 by the New York Public Library!"Add a little natural wonder to your poetry shelves. Because if we’re talking about the best possible compliment to your eyes and ears alike, few have as many perks and grand moments as this." —School Library Journal starred review"Out of a windless August night/A luna moth in ghostly lightBeat softly on my window screen/Tick-tick-ticking-all silver green.She whispered secrets in my ear--/I am but a stranger here.The stars are scrawled across the sky/By ghostwriters, the Moon and I.You will not see me here tonight--/I have a thousand stars to write."What could be better than cuddling up with your child and this book on your lap and allowing your imaginations to soar with the words and images? Lovingly selected by U.S. Children's Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis and paired with vibrant animal photography, this collection of poems is an exuberant celebration of the animal kingdom and a beautiful introduction to this genre of literature. Designed for family sharing but targeted to ages 4-8, this dynamic, fresh, yet still classic collection of animal poems is a must-have for the family bookshelf.Featured poets include J. Patrick Lewis, Dorothy Aldis, Emily Dickinson, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Frost, Rudyard Kipling, Jack Prelutsky, Elizabeth Madox Roberts, Robert Louis Stevenson, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and many more.Divided into chapters that group the poems by theme for extra resonance, the collection is a mix of old and new, classics, and never-before-published. A foreword from Lewis, sets the scene for helping children appreciate this gift of language and this visual feast for the eyes. Chapters include: Welcome to the World (birth of animal young) Big Ones (large animals--elephants, hippos, rhinos, bears) Little Ones (small animals--worms, insects) Winged Ones (birds and other flying creatures) Water Ones (aquatic animals--fish, dolphins, crabs) Strange Ones (curious creatures--armadillos, centipedes) Noisy Ones (loud animals--lions, hyenas) Quiet Ones (silent or still animals--hens, rabbits, snakes) Last Thought (a reflection on the world we share with animals)Releases simultaneously in Reinforced Library Binding: 978-1-4263-1054-6 , $28.90/$33.00 CanNational Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

Handpicked by Amazon kids’ books editor, Seira Wilson, for Prime Book Box – a children’s subscription that inspires a love of reading. The dynamic, best-selling team of Lin Oliver and Tomie dePaola have created a charming collection of baby poems that makes the perfect gift for baby showers and first birthdays.For babies and toddlers, each moment is full of wonder and discovery. This delightful collection of original poems celebrates the everyday things that enthrall little ones, such as playing peekaboo, banging pots and pans, splashing at bath time, and cuddling at bedtime. Full of contagious rhythm and rhyme, this inviting picture book introduces young children to the sound of poetry, and beloved illustrator Tomie dePaola’s engaging children are the perfect match for Lin Oliver’s lighthearted poems. Together they’ve created a book to be treasured that captures the magic and fun of being new in the world.

A spider is a “never-tangling dangling spinner / knitting angles, trapping dinner.” A tree frog proposes, “Marry me. Please marry me… / Pick me now. / Make me your choice. / I’m one great frog / with one strong voice.” VanDerwater lets the denizens of the forest speak for themselves in twenty-six lighthearted, easy-to-read poems. As she observes, “Silence in Forest / never lasts long. / Melody / is everywhere / mixing in / with piney air. / Forest has a song.” The graceful, appealing watercolor illustrations perfectly suit these charming poems that invite young readers into the woodland world at every season.

First published in 1986 and just as fresh and relevant today, this widely acclaimed, child-friendly poetry anthology is now being reissued with a striking new jacket. In his introduction to this book Jim Trelease, bestselling author of The Read-Aloud Handbook, writes, “No one better recognizes the essence of the child-poetry connection than poet and anthologist Jack Prelutsky. . . . Here are more than 200 little poems to feed little people with little attention spans to help both grow. Marc Brown’s inviting illustrations add a visual dimension to the poems, which further engage young imaginations.” The poems are by 119 of the best-known poets of the 20th century.This book has been selected as a Common Core State Standards Text Exemplar (Grades K-1, Poetry) in Appendix B.

The complete edition of the bestselling children’s favorite, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, is now available as a Classic Board Book!A told B and B told C,“I’ll meet you at the topof the coconut tree.” When all the letters of the alphabet race one another up the coconut tree, will there be enough room?Of course there is always enough room for this rollicking alphabet chant that has been a children’s favorite for more than twenty years! Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault’s rhythmic text keeps the beat with Caldecott Honor illustrator Lois Ehlert’s bold, cheerful art. This winning combination has created a series of enduring Chicka Chicka favorites, and now, for the first time ever, the complete edition of the original Chicka Chicka Boom Boom story is available as a Classic Board Book. With sturdy pages and rounded corners, this portable edition of an irresistible alphabet romp will delight a new generation of young readers.

Silver seeds Tossed in the air And planted in the sky, Reaching out of the darkness, Sprouting wonder. The poems in this book, done in a creative acrostic format, show us the world of nature in a different light. Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher's glowing illustrations will give readers a new appreciation for the wonders of nature. Beginning with daybreak and ending with a beautiful interpretation of night, the poems include striking images of the sun, fog, and rain.

Perfect for a baby shower gift basket—Betsy Snyder's beloved tabbed board book celebrates the seasons in haiku!in tickly-toe grass a buttercup offers up yellow nose kisses The simple delights in baby’s natural world—a bird, a fish, a leaf, a snowflake, a raindrop—are celebrated in the traditional Japanese poetic form, the haiku. In just 17 syllables, a moment, a season, the elements are joyfully captured. Betsy Snyder's peaceful little board book has tabs to encourage little hands to turn the pages and adorable artwork to delight everyone!

This exuberant celebration of poetry is an essential book for every young one’s library and a gorgeous gift to be both shared and treasured.Sit back and savor a superb collection of more than sixty poems by a wide range of talented writers, from Margaret Wise Brown to Gertrude Stein, Langston Hughes to A. A. Milne. Greeting the morning, enjoying the adventures of the day, cuddling up to a cozy bedtime — these are poems that highlight the moments of a toddler’s world from dawn to dusk. Carefully gathered by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters and delightfully illustrated by Polly Dunbar, Here's a Little Poem offers a comprehensive introduction to some remarkable poets, even as it captures a very young child’s intense delight in the experiences and rituals of every new day.

Twenty years after Iona Opie and Rosemary Wells released their first collection of Mother Goose rhymes, the celebrated original is back in a gorgeous anniversary edition.To a small child, words are magical. And the most magical of all are the beloved words of Mother Goose. Here, folklorist Iona Opie has gathered more than sixty treasured rhymes in their most perfect, honest forms, from “Hey Diddle, Diddle" and “Pat-a-Cake” to “Little Jack Horner” and “Pussycat, Pussycat” — familiar verses that have been passed from parent to child for generations and are every child’s birthright. With watercolors by Rosemary Wells capturing the simple joy and sly humor of the classic nursery rhymes, this special anniversary volume features a case cover and jacket and includes a note from the illustrator on the unparalleled influence of Mother Goose, both during childhood and far beyond it.

Every day, children the world over sing, shout, and celebrate Mother Goose rhymes. And now there's a new reason to cheer: Nina Crews has added her own remarkable, jazzy style of illustration to a collection of forty-one favorite verses. Whether it's Jack jumping over a candlestick (atop a cupcake), Georgie Porgie kissing the girls (at the playground), or a fine lady riding a white horse (on the carousel), this exuberant treasury is sure to be read and enjoyed over and over again.

Handpicked by Amazon kids’ books editor, Seira Wilson, for Prime Book Box – a children’s subscription that inspires a love of reading.Perfect for a baby shower gift basket—this companion to the beloved tabbed board book haiku baby celebrates the wonders of nighttime!wide awake at night two eyes shining warm and bright-- hello, little owl Just as she did in haiku baby, Betsy Snyder celebrates special moments in nature with the traditional Japanese poetic form. The sights and sounds of night--a firefly, a star, a cricket, a bat, a raccoon, and an owl--are joyfully captured in just 17 syllables each. This peaceful little board book has tabs to encourage little hands to turn the pages, and adorable artwork to delight children and parents alike! Betsy Snyder's distinguished books for toddlers and babies have received numerous awards and accolades, and are beloved by parents everywhere.

A verdant seaside full of wildlife and natural beauty is the backdrop as two children of color turn a day of exploring into a joyful adventure. The quotable Shakespeare text becomes a story as the friends venture from bright coast to sheltered glade and commanding hilltop, evoking the magic of The Tempest for those familiar, and stirring a straightforward love of language in those seeing the words for the first time. Babies and toddlers will enjoy pointing out the various animals peeking through the trees and vines, and the exuberant rooster will make an impression on young and old. Other animals include a turtle, fish, seagulls, heron, flamingo, hummingbird, toucan, crab, sloth, monkey, and deer.

A favorite author and artist create an endearing collection of new and favorite illustrated rhymes and poems ideal for sharing.A baby’s day is full of meaningful moments: Time for cuddles, time for play, time for games, time for a nap, time for dinner, time for a bath, time for bed…and always, always, time for love. This joyous collection of more than fifty original poems and rhymes is divided into sections that celebrate each part of a young child’s daily routine. An anthology of new and favorite rhymes accompanied by gentle, evocative illustrations is a perfect gift for showers and a must-have addition to any child’s bookshelf.

This vibrant collection of twenty-one poems celebrates the joys (snack time!) and pitfalls (2 + 2 = 23?) of childhood. Brod Bagert’s often silly, always winsome poems cover everything from the seasons and the stars to finger paint and kids who quack. With humor and warmth, Shout! shows us there’s fun in work and play, poetry in everything, and a million different uses for ketchup. Kids are sure to shout for a reread.

"Children are poets before they grow up and they should live with poems. I hope this book will encourage them to do so."—Eleanor RooseveltBeloved and treasured for over 60 years, here is the only poetry collection your family needs—brimming with favorite, classic poems carefully selected to inspire young readers. Over 700 classic and modern poems written by poets from William Shakespeare to J. R. R. Tolkien, Emily Dickinson to Langston Hughes, and covering a range of favorite topics—pets, playtime, family, nature, and nonsense—ensure that there’s a poem to please every child. A truly comprehensive collection that is the ideal way of introducing children to the joys of reading poetry."If your children think they don't like poetry, expose them to this collection . . . and I defy them to resist its magic."—Kirkus"A fine book for parents to read aloud to their children."—Library Journal"This volume stands out for the comprehensiveness of its selection."—The Horn Book