5 of the Best Poetry Picture Books for Kids

Every April since 1996, National Poetry Month arrives to praise the importance of poets and poetry. For 30 years, poetry enthusiasts have spent the spring month celebrating in a multitude of ways. Some people write a poem a day. Some read a poem a day. People share poems broadly. Events like readings, open mics, craft talks, slams, and more decorate bookstore, library, and school calendars.

Like so many readers, my earliest memories of poems include those hefty black-and-white books with line drawings and end rhyme. Even as an ardent poetry fan, I sometimes didn’t turn to poems, and my life lost a bit of luster for it. Poetry is a balm for the ears, a balm for the brain, and a balm for the heart. It is a precious thing to spend our days with, to partake in with others.

With April upon us, consider observing National Poetry Month by reading poetry-themed picture books. In order of publication, I’ve compiled a list of five children’s books delving into poetry—a revered poet’s biography, poems by famous poets, and a how-to guide for penning poems—for the little ones in your life, for the young at heart, and for anyone, really. Bring on the joy of sound, startling images, and deep feeling not only for April but for all year long.

Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks by Suzanne Slade, Cozbi A. Cabrera Published in 2020, this biography applauds the achievements of Gwendolyn Brooks, the first Black person to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1950 for Annie Allen. It details milestones, including the burgeoning writer’s first publication in a local newspaper at 11 and a national magazine soon after, and hardships, such as the Great Depression, difficult high school years, and financial woes. With Cabrera’s lively illustrations featuring various clocks, a bedroom full of floating poems on looseleaf, and sherbet-colored clouds, this breathtaking book meditates on inspiration, passion, and tenacity.

Remember by Joy Harjo, Michaela Goade Adapted from Harjo’s poem of the same title in the iconic She Had Some Horses, this enchanting book delves into ancestry, identity, and interconnectedness. The 23rd U.S. Poet Laureate’s repetition of Remember at the beginning of sentences soothes, “Remember the wind. / Remember her voice.” Goade’s celestial images, lovely details (long eyelashes and luminous galaxies), and rich, earthy tones comfort and ground me and fill me with awe. Stunningly illustrated, this memorable poem from a classic collection of an adored author and performer makes a wonderful gift.

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