Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Poetry has found such a special place in my heart as I have gotten older. As a child I didn't really understand the people who were drawn to poetry books. Nothing about them ever pulled me in when I was younger. But then at some point as a grown-up, I discovered how healing and hopeful poetry made me feel. I wish I could remember the first poetry book that stirred these emotions within me. Even though I don't remember the title, I will always remember how it impacted me, and because of those feelings, now I try to share poetry books as often as I can. Here are five recent favorites that I have read and I hope you enjoy! Pondering: A Story in Cinquains Written by Paul Paolilli and Dan Brewer Illustrated by Dao Linh New York, NY : WorthyKids, 2026. Picture Book. People often (mistakenly) think of poetry as having to rhyme. Cinquain poems are a great way to introduce kids and grownups alike to a form of poetry that doesn't require rhyming. Cinquain poems have 5 lines, and a sp...

The Green Mother Goose By Jan Peck New York: Sterling, 2011. Poetry. Amazing Apples By Consie Powell Morton Grove, IL: A. Whitman & Co., 2003. Poetry. Hello, Earth! Written by Joyce Sidman Illustrated by Miren Asiain Lora Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2021. Poetry. Night Wishes Written by Lee Bennett Hopkinds Illustrated by Jen Corace Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2020. Poetry. Catch the Sky Written by Robert Heidbreder Illustrated by Emily Dove     Berkley, CA: Greystone Kids, Greystone Books, 2021. Poetry. When Poems Fall from the Sky Written by Zaro Weil Illustrated by Junli Song London: Welbeck Editions, 2022. Poetry. 168 pages. A Forest Song Written by Hirsten Hall Illustrated by Evan Turk New York: Random House Studio, 2025. Poetry. Wonderful Words Written by Lee Bennett Hopkins Illustrated by Karen Barbour New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2004. Poetry. 32 pages. Old Elm Speaks Written by Kristine O'C...

Dear Acorn (Love, Oak): Letter Poems to Friends Written by Joyce Sidman Illustrated by Melissa Sweet New York, NY : Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2025. Poetry. 40 pages. These whimsical and charming pairs of poems are letters between friends. They may not be the friends you would typically think of, such as a bubble and the sky or a child and their toes, but the creative personification of these ordinary things takes the mundane and turns it magical. The poems are written in different formats, suiting the voice and message of each writer. Joyce Sidman creates a perfect guide, through examples and instruction at the back of the book, on writing poetry. Melissa Sweet creates stunning illustrations using mixed mediums. This small book of poems is perfect for your child with their head in the clouds. In fact, the letters between a cloud and droplets is one of my favorite pairs. Any reader will have a great exercise in imagination while reading them.

Every month we have two book clubs for kids here at the Provo City Library! These book clubs are just for kids ages 9-12 and a caregiver. This month, our  Girls Read book club  will meet February 24 and our  Guys Read book club  will meet February 26. You can register now, using the library's online calendar! Girls Read is reading: Brown Girl Dreaming By Jacqueline Woodson New York: Nancy Paulsen Books, 2014. Memoir/poetry. 336 pgs. As a child, Jacqueline Woodson never felt settled at home. In the 1960s and 1970s, she lived in South Carolina and in New York City, in the midst of the Civil Rights movement and with the shadow of Jim Crow laws looming overhead. As she searches to find herself, Jacqueline finds her voice as a writer and she begins to tell stories that will shape her future. Told entirely in verse, this memoir is a touching and thoughtful story about growing up and finding your way. A National Book Award Winner, Newbery Honoree, and Coretta Scott King Awa...

  One Last Word By Nikki Grimes New York: Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2017. Informational. 120 pages. In this collection of poetry, Nikki Grimes looks afresh at the poets of the Harlem Renaissance -- including voices like Langston Hughes, Georgia Douglas Johnson, and many more writers of importance and resonance from this era -- by combining their work with her own original poetry. Using 'The Golden Shovel' poetic method, Grimes has written a collection of poetry that is as gorgeous as it is thought-provoking. --Publisher Emily Dickinson: Poetry for Kids Written by Emily Dickinson  Illustrated by Christine Davenier Lake Forest, California : MoonDance Press, 2016. Informational. 48 pages. Young readers will discover the beauty of Emily Dickinson's verse with this gorgeously illustrated collection....it's a wonderful introduction to Dickinson and to the world of poetry. --Editor America the Beautiful Written by Katharine Lee Bates Illustrated by Wendell Minor Waterto...

  Wildflower Emily: A Story About Young Emily Dickinson By Lydia Corry New York: Godwin Books, 2024. Biography. 91 pages. Emily Dickinson is known as one of America's greatest poets. But, have you ever wondered what sparked this interest and love in her? Famously a recluse, this biography speaks of a time before, when she was a dreamy-eyed girl with a love for nature. Devoted to filling her herbarium, Emily yearned to find more samples and experience the area around her homestead. So, with the help of her dog, Carlo, she does just that. Follow along as they explore the beauty of the world around them, through meadows, deep woods, and little streams, and you as a reader will begin to understand from whence the insipartion for her poetry came.  Interspesed with Emily's own poetry, facts of her early life, informative back matter, and graphic novel-style full page spreads with warm simplistic illustrations, Wildflower Emily is a dynamic look into the life of a beloved historical...

  She'll Be the Sky Collected by Ella Risbridger  Illustrated by Anna Shepeta Lincoln, MA: Nosy Crow Inc., 2023. Poetry. 141 pages.   I read poetry for the beauty of lyrical words and the romanticizing of the world around me. This book brings both these things in a lovely way. The fact that every poem is written by a woman or girl makes this book feel all the more special to me. I would highly recommend reading the introduction and the afterword of this book. Often I skip right to the poems because that's what I'm there for, but the opening perfectly explains why the selector, Ella Risbridger, feels it is important to have collections of poetry by women. It is written for children and is plain enough for them to understand. You'll recognize some names like Amanda Gordon or Emily Dickinson, but there will be many you won't. There will be stories that relate to you and many that don't. These poems are from all women everywhere which means we can learn much from th...

A Tales of Whimsy, Verse of Woe Written by Tim DeRoche Illustrated by Daniel Gonzalez Los Angeles: Redtail Press, 2023. Informational. 79 pages. As someone who grew up reading and reciting Shel Silverstein poems, I am always on the hunt for children's poetry compilations that are just as silly and well-written. I was pleased by the immediate Silverstein vibes from these poems. This book of poetry lives up to it's name with poems of dramatic tales and whimsical characters. I would recommend "A Rope Made of Soap" where the rhymes are the only thing that make any sort of sense and "The Beast in the Cave" where a beast's beard grows too much for him to do anything. The illustrations are the perfect pair to the laugh-out-loud verses.

There Was a Party for Langston Written by Jason Reynolds Illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2023. Picture Book. Inspired by a photograph of famous writers Maya Angelou and Amiri Baraka dancing at a party at the New York Public Library, this picture book is a celebration of the legacy of Langston Hughes. This book, as promised, is a party. It is joyful, resplendent, playful, and - above all - celebratory. A poem in a book, the text flows smoothly yet still creates whirlwinds of excitement around Langston Hughes -- his cultural impact is clearly felt. The verse pays homage to Langston Hughes, but still feels totally like Jason Reynolds. The illustrations move with the text in perfect syncopation and, in good tribute to the "King o' Letters," are often composed of colorful typographic call outs -- using verses from Hughes' poems. This is a book that celebrates words, but it also celebrates pictures and music an...

Feeling the urge to see far off places, but having to armchair travel instead?  Wanting to experience the delights to be found in the country of Japan? Well, you're in luck because these books will help you feel like you've traveled there yourself:  Natsumi's Song of Summer Written by Robert Paul Weston Illustrated by Misa Saburi Toronto: Tundra Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada Young Readers, 2020. Picture Book.   Natsumi celebrates her favorite things about summer in Japan with her cousin who is visiting from America. The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden Written by Heather Smith Illustrated by Rachel Wada Victoria, British Columbia: Orca Book Publishers, 2019. Picture Book.  A young Japanese boy processes his grief over his father's loss during a tsunami through the use of a disconnected phone in his community. The Perfect Sushi Written by Emily Satoko Seo Illustrated by Mique Moriuchi  Concord, MA: Barefoot Books, 2023. Picture Book.  A ...

Remember By Joy Harjo Illustrated by Michaela Goade New York: Random House, 2023. Picture book. "Remember the sky that you were born under,/ know each of the star's stories." This wonderfully evocative poem inspires young readers to look back to their ancestors and forward to their place in the story of humanity. This iconic poem, written by former U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, a member of the Mvskoke Nation, is brought to life for young readers some forty years after it's first publication. The illustrations from Caldecott winner Michaela Goade, a member of the Tlingit Nation, are rich, lush, and filled with color and emotion.  Read-aloud friendly, this book can and should be used to inspire family conversations about ancestry and interconnectedness. Visually stunning with text that grows richer with each read.

  Aniana del Mar Jumps In Written by Jasminne Mendez Dial Books for Young Readers, 2023. 374 Pgs. Aniana loves to swim in fact she feels like she belongs in the water just like a dolphin. She wishes she could tell her mother about her swimming competitions and how much the water is a part of her, but her mother would never understand. Her mother has never overcome her fear of the water after losing someone she loved to drowning so Aniana and her father keep her swimming a secret. One day Ani can not get out of bed because her knees and other joints are swollen and sore.  While talking to the doctor Ani reveals that she is a swimmer and Ani's mom discovers her secret. The doctors diagnose Ani with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and Ani's life changes forever.   This is a beautiful moving novel told in verse about a young girl who is learning to find her voice and stand up for her dreams. It's a look at the challenges of living with a chronic illness and finding a new p...

How to Write a Poem Written by Alexander Kwame Illustrated by Deanna Nikaido New York, NY: Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2023.  In this beautiful "how to" nonfiction picture book, Kwame Alexander captures the hearts of readers yet again. This book teaches poetry by example. The author describes how you can paint a picture with words and does so using beautifully flowery language. The illustrations by Deanna Nikaido create the perfect pairing to the lyrical text. They capture the whimsy and imagination you use when creating a poem. As a poetry lover, I thought this book is the perfect way to inspire others and convert them to become poetry fans.

  Beautiful Day! Written by Rodoula Pappa Illustrated by Seng Soun Ratanavanh  Petaluma, California: Cameron Kids, 2021. Informational.  A picture book of haiku-inspired poems celebrating the four seasons. Sing a Song of Seasons Written by Fiona Waters Illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon Somerville, Massachusetts: Nosy Crow, an imprint of Candlewick Press, 2018. Informational. 333 pages. Contains 366 nature poems--one for every day of the year. Filled with familiar favorites and new discoveries by a vast array of poets, including Langston Hughes, Lilian Moore, Emily Dickinson, Jack Prelutsky, William Shakespeare, N.M. Bodecker, Kanoko Okamoto, and many more. When Green Becomes Tomatoes Written by Julie Fogliano Illustrated by Julie Morstad New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2016. Informational.  A book of poetry moving through the seasons. Changes By Charlotte Zolotow Illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke Naperville, Illinois: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2015. Informational. 40 pag...

You Are a Story By Bob Raczka Illustrated by Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell New York : Holiday House, [2023]. Picture Book. What makes each of us special? How are we all connected? These questions and more are answered in this darling picture book. With illustrations that highlight how we are connected not only with each other, but with the Earth as a whole, this book is truly beautiful. The author speaks directly to the audience, detailing who we are and what we're made of. The questions at the end prompt readers to further discover who they are, what they want, and who they will become. I adored this book. The cover immediately caught my eye, and I loved the poetic cadence of the writing. The illustrations are unique visual metaphors, the story is personal yet universal, and it's sure to be a favorite for children and adults alike. The overall message is that each of us is important, we each have amazing potential, and we each have an important story to share.

As someone who grew up with the fun and silly poems of Shel Silverstein, I am always looking for new poems that channel that same crazy energy.  If you have a poetry lover looking for some new outrageous rhymes, here are a couple of suggestions. The Universal Zoo Written by Neal Zetter Illustrated by Will Hughes Herefordshire, Great Britain: Otter-Berry Books, 2022. Poetry. 96 pages. This collection of space themed nonsense is very reminiscent of Shel Silverstein. The poems feature everything from made up creatures to semi-ordinary things like a spiral spider. You will all get a laugh out of these poems. Hard-Boiled Bugs for Breakfast and Other Tasty Poems Written by Jack Prelutsky Drawings by Ruth Chan New York: Greenwillow, and imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2021. Poetry. 137 pages. In Jack Prelutsky's newest collection of poems, you get a little bit of everything. There are short and sweet haikus and longer silly story poems. With poems about being goofy, complaining, and ...

Every month we have two book clubs for kids here at the Provo City Library! These book clubs are especially for kids ages 9-12 and a caregiver. This month, our  Girls Read  book club will meet April 25 and our  Guys Read  book club will meet March 27. You can register now, using the library's online calendar. Girls Read is reading: Starfish By Lisa Fipps New York: Nancy Paulsen Books, 2021. Novel in verse. 11-year-old Ellie is bullied every day of her life because she is fat. The kids at school and even her family bully her relentlessly because of how she looks. The bullying and torment drive Ellie to create a set of "Fat Girl Rules" designed to help her fit in and stay invisible, and it's only gotten worse since her best friend Viv moved away and her mom increases her threat of bariatric surgery. Fortunately, Ellie's compassionate father notices how upset these words are making Ellie and intervenes by helping her find a therapist to work through her problems. Thi...

The Hope of Elephants By Amanda Rawson Hill Watertown, MA : Charlesbridge, [2022]. Fiction. 476 pgs. In this beautiful novel in verse, Cass loves baseball, elephants, and poetry. Her life is going great until her father's cancer returns and their yearly World Series trip is put at risk. Additionally, Cass learns that there's a 50/50 chance that she has the same cancer gene as her father. She leans on her support group of friends, learns the inspiring nature of elephants, and tries to decide if she wants to take the test that will reveal the truth about her genes.  This book had me in tears. It was beautiful, heartbreaking, moving, and also full of hope. I loved how the book was broken up into bite size poems because I felt like it was easier to digest the more difficult/tragic material. There is raw emotion, personal storytelling, and a main character that you will both resonate with and root for. Full of faith, sadness, hope, heart, joy, and despair, this book is one that will...

  The Illustrated Robert Frost By Robert Frost Bushel & Peck Books, 2022. Informational. 64 pgs. In "The Illustrated Robert Frost", full color illustrations accompany 25 of Robert Frost's most beloved poems. Thought provoking questions and helpful word definitions included on the side of each page help readers gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of these classic poems.   Robert Frost is one of my favorite poets, so being introduced to some of his poems for the first time and getting to re-read my favorites was a delight.  Frost's poetry evokes such emotion and is the perfect candidate for illustration.  The illustrations coupled with the thoughtful questions and aids for better understanding and deeper thinking about each poem really make this a great introduction to Frost. Homeschooling families and teachers wanting to do a poetry unit with their students would all find this a helpful resource. 

April is National Poetry Month and what better way to celebrate than by checking out some books of poetry from the library! As a poetry lover, I look for kids' poetry that is unique, entertaining, and beautifully written. Here are a few recently published books that I am a fan of. Poems Aloud Written by Joseph Coelho Illustrated by Daniel Gray-Barnett Minneapolis, MN : Wide Eyed Editions, an imprint of The Quarto Group, 2020. Informational.  This book is great for poetry beginners. In the table of contents, you'll see poems broken down, explained, and then demonstrated. While reading this, you'll learn about riddles, crescendo, and changing your tone. Each poem is encouraged to be said aloud, so get ready for your young reader to put on a show! I Remember: Poems and Pictures of Heritage By Lee Bennett Hopkins New York : Lee & Low Books Inc., 2019. Informational. In this collection of poems, you might recognize a few authors like Kwame Alexander and Jane Yolen. These inc...