Tag Archives: poem

Welcome back to my blog! It’s that time of year again! Time to count down my favourite books of the 2024! Below are links to my posts from earlier this month:

Dec. 3rd – Top 10 Favourite Picture Books of 2024 

Dec. 10th – Top 10 Favourite Novels of 2024

Dec. 17th – Top 10 Favourite Nonfiction Books of 2024

This is the FINAL of post of the year – focusing on my favourite POETRY books of 2024! Remember – poetry can not only be used in your literacy lessons but many nonfiction poetry books that can be integrated into your science units and help with your knowledge building!

Remember – poetry deserves space and a place in our classrooms ALL YEAR – not just squished into the last three weeks of June using a Pinterest Poetry Unit! So sart the New Year by sharing some of these great poems with your class! And a reminder – if you are looking for lesson ideas on teaching poetry this year – you will find everything you need in my book Powerful Poetry!

Bless the Earth: A Collection of Poetry for Children to Celebrate and Care for Our World – June Cotner

This is a STUNNING collection of poems celebrating and appreciating earth and all of its beauty and wonder. Divided into five chapters, each featuring a different element of focus, readers are treated to a variety of voices, perspectives, and poets. Each poem is thought-provoking, accessible and engaging and address both nature appreciation and environmental issues. Such a great book to begin discussions about nature. LOVE this one! (Convergent Books, 2024)

Great Gusts: Winds of the World and the Science Behind Them – Melanie Crowder

Ever thought of teaching your science unit about wind using poetry? If you have never have thought to use poetry to teach your students about wind – this book will change your mind! Each poem has its own rhythm and style and they mesh with the illustrations to help readers envision and understand the scientific phenomena behind different kinds of winds around the world. Interestint, lyrical, and WONDERFUL! (MIT Kids Pres, 2024)

Welcome to the Wonder House – Rebecca Kai Dotlich & Georgia Heard

Georgia Heard’s books on teaching poetry have had a huge impact on my practice so was excited to see this book when it came out. Readers are invited into “The Wonder House” – a house with twelve different rooms, each filled with poetry and wonder: “Room of Creatures”, “Room of Curiosity”, “Room of Praise”. I can see this being used as a springboard for many creative activities and for inspiring young poets to create their own “wonder room” and write their own poems. Gorgeous illustrations.

Octopus Acrobatics – Sue Fliess

Ever since reading Remarkably Bright Creatures, I’ve been obsessed with octopi! So I made LOTS of Text-to-Text connections when I saw this nonfiction poetry picture book! Each poem shares interesting information about these fascinating creatures in an accessibly, kid-friendly way using simple rhyming text plus additional information on each page. The illustrations are gorgeous and add so much to the book.  Such an interesting and engaging collection – your students will LOVE it! (Albert Whitman & Company, 2024)

Windsongs: Poems about Weather – Douglas Florian

For anyone who has heard me talk about favourite children’s poets – you will know Douglas Florian is at the top of my list! His new book is all about the fascinating world of weather – another perfect book to use in your science lessons! Clever poems about all different types of weather, perfect for reading aloud and filled with Florian’s quirky illustrations. Backmatter with more information is included. (Beach Lane Books, 2024)

Bless Our Pets: Poems of Gratitude for Our Animal Friends – Lita Judge

This anthology of poetry features fourteen poets, including Lois Lowry, Charles Ghigna, and Rebecca Kai Dotlich, expressing gratitude towards their beloved pets. Gorgeous artwork by Lita Judge. The last poem made me cry. This book is perfect for any pet lovers in your class (or teaching your class!) (Eerdmans , 2024)

Home – Vineet Lal

Another great example of linking poetry with content – this book takes readers on a fascinating poetic journey through twenty seven remarkable homes created by different creatures. From the hermit crab’s unique shell to the beaver’s intricate dam, the book is filled with beautiful poetic language and rich detailed images. A perfect addition to your unit on animal habitats! (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, March 2024)

A Planet is a Poem – Amanda West Lewis

A perfect example of a book that integrates poetry to your science unit! There’s lots of information about our solar system and LOTS of different types of poetry. Includes easy to understand facts, gorgeous illustrations, diagrams, sidebars, and figurative language! A delightful fusion of art and science! (Kids Can Press, 2024)

She’ll Be the Sky: Poems by Women and Girls – Ella Risbridger

This is beautiful, diverse collection of poetry by and for women and girls (and as the introduction explains, some non-binary people and anonymous entries) on a wide range of topics – historical figures, fantasy pieces, poems about astronomy, cats, and soup! This is a great read-a-loud for younger audiences and read-to-self for the target middle grade ages 8-12. Vibrant illustrations accompanies each poem. (Nosy Crow, Feb 2024)

This is a Tiny Fragile Snake – Nicholas Ruddock

When humans encounter wild animals, there can be fear and anxiety (often on the part of both the human and animal.) In this collection of poems, the author illustrates ordinary human encounters with animals and the natural world that focus on peace, respect, and kindness. The poems are simply written, with a pleasing rhyme, and perfect for reading aloud to read aloud. Beautiful collage illustrations – this book is just LOVELY! (Groundwoods Book, 2024)

Wind Is a Dance – Debra Kempf Shumaker

Wind and weather were definitely themes this year for poetry books – and I think this one is my favourite! And in case you hadn’t noticed, I’m such a fan of picture books that mix poetry with non-fiction facts, and this one does not disappoint! The author uses fabulous metaphors, similes, and other lyrical poetic devices to describe different kinds of wind: what wind is, what it represents, and just how we can “see” it. Sidebars are included on each spread, as well as additional back matter, with more information about each type of wind. Stunning illustrations – this is an excellent book for your science or literacy lessons. (Kids Can Press, 2024)

Poetry Comics – Grant Snider

I LOVED this unique poetry book when it came out earlier this year and have been talking it up at my poetry workshops. Organized by seasons, it is a collection of poems illustrated line-by-line in comic panels. For anyone who already know they like poetry, but even MORE for anyone intimidated by it, these poems are introspective but completely accessible, and provide a brilliant “portal” to poetry for visual thinkers and learners. A MUST for your poetry collection! (Chronicle Books, March 2024)

Love, the Earth – Frances Stickley

This book is a magnificent celebration of the earth and all the things it can do for us, but also focus on taking care of it like it does us. This would be a great book for Earth day and for young students who are exploring ways to appreciate what the world has to offer. The illustrations are GORGEOUS! (Candlewick, 2024)

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have found one or two new poetry books you are excited to share with your students!

Happy New Year, everyone! And happy reading all through the year!