Sometimes it gets lost that a lot of the amazing books we read to children, especially infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, are actually poetry. With rhythm and rhyme, the stories that unfold across the pages of these picture books are oftentimes their first introduction to poems. Reading poetry has numerous benefits for building early literacy skills, including rhythm development and recognition, voice inflection and pitch, memorization skills, self-expression, and vocabulary enhancement. I\u2019ve rounded up 12 great poetry books for the littlest of children \u2014 some are rhyming tales with single storylines and some are poetry collections, and all make great additions to the family library.<\/p>\n
no no 9780375843952 Haiku Baby <\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/169917\/haiku-baby-by-betsy-e-snyder\/boardbook?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Betsy E. Snyder <\/p>\n
This sweet board book features seasonal spreads with haikus, providing a great introduction to the Japanese poetic form of 17 syllables in a 5-7-5 pattern. Each haiku features a part of baby\u2019s natural world, including the sun and water. The tabbed format allows you and your child to quickly find specific pages.<\/p>\n
9780553513363 Fox in Socks<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/227601\/fox-in-socks-by-dr-seuss\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Dr. Seuss <\/p>\n
Dr. Seuss’s books are known for their silly words and wonderful rhymes, and this abridged version of Fox in Socks<\/i> is a wonderful introduction to the classic author. With bright illustrations, simple text, and tongue twisters, the sturdy board book (perfect for little hands!) will have babies and toddlers laughing with \u2014 and at \u2014 their parents as they try to wrap their tongues around the words. (Looking for another good choice to introduce your little reader to the world of Seuss? Try Oh, Baby, the Places You\u2019ll Go!<\/a><\/i>, an adaptation by Tish Rabe of Dr. Seuss\u2019s classic work.)<\/p>\n 9781524737962 Little Poems for Tiny Ears<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/314510\/little-poems-for-tiny-ears-by-lin-oliver-illustrated-by-tomie-depaola\/9781524737962?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Lin Oliver, illustrated by Tomie DePaolo <\/p>\n This collection of 23 original poems highlights the joy and wonder of being new to the world, making it extremely baby- and kid-friendly. From DePaolo\u2019s happy artwork to Oliver\u2019s short poems about childhood, it is a lively read-aloud that serves as a wonderful first book of poetry.<\/p>\n 9781536208344 Snow Still <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/611997\/snow-still-by-holly-surplice\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Holly Surplice <\/p>\n This adorable board book is similar to Bambi \u2014 but better. A little fawn ventures out into a fresh snowfall to explore the forest. With gentle watercolor illustrations and a cozy feel, this delightful book is the perfect introduction to poetry.<\/p>\n 9780670016488 Llama Llama\u2019s Little Library <\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/530124\/llama-llamas-little-library-by-anna-dewdney\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Anna Dewdney <\/p>\n This collection of four little board books introduces young readers to the lovable character Llama Llama, created by Anna Dewdney. The books are very short and have simple, entertaining rhymes that are perfect for children under two years old. The illustrations are in the classic, sweet style of the Llama Llama<\/i> series<\/a>. <\/p>\n 9780593224311 Eric Carle\u2019s Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and Other Nursery Rhymes<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/647613\/eric-carles-twinkle-twinkle-little-star-and-other-nursery-rhymes-by-eric-carle-illustrated-by-eric-carle\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Eric Carle <\/p>\n Eric Carle is a must-have for any child\u2019s bookshelf. Babies and toddlers that enjoy listening to nursery rhymes will love this board book. With flaps to lift and familiar rhymes to read, this collection will become a bedtime favorite.<\/p>\n 9781683691990 Won\u2019t You Be My Neighbor? <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/625247\/wont-you-be-my-neighbor-by-fred-rogers-illustrated-by-luke-flowers\/9781683691990\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Fred Rogers, illustrated by Luke Flowers <\/p>\n All of my children adored Mister Roger\u2019s Neighborhood<\/i> when they were young. This board book brings the theme song from the beloved television show to life. If your preschooler is a fan of the show, they\u2019ll also enjoy It\u2019s You I Like<\/a><\/i>, which shares Mister Roger\u2019s belief that every child is unique.<\/p>\n 9781635924039 A Hatful of Dragons<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/611338\/a-hatful-of-dragons-by-vikram-madan\/9781635924039\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Vikram Madan <\/p>\n Your preschooler may not be ready to tackle a Shel Silverstein book yet, but this award-winning picture book is an excellent introduction to the world of wacky poetry. With its zany characters and laugh-out-loud poems, it will have kids in stitches as you read.<\/p>\n 9781536212730 Honey for You, Honey for Me<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/669821\/honey-for-you-honey-for-me-by-michael-rosen\/9781536212730\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Chris Riddell <\/p>\n From the creators of A Great Big Cuddle<\/a><\/i> and Giggly Wiggly<\/a><\/i> comes another book of poetry for young children. Old sayings and forgotten nursery rhymes dance across the pages of this lovely picture book. <\/p>\n 9780763699697 Digger, Dozer, Dumper<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/228537\/digger-dozer-dumper-by-hope-vestergaard\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Hope Vestergaard, illustrated by David Slonim <\/p>\n If your child is obsessed with trucks (as both of mine were!), this is the perfect book to read together. It contains 16 poems that celebrate both the jobs and mechanics of different vehicles. The fun illustrations feature children operating the machines, and Slonim gives the trucks personalities with his visuals of headlights, bumpers, and other parts. Plus, as someone with both a boy and a girl who loved trucks, I appreciated the fact that half of the vehicles are called \u201che\u201d and half are called \u201cshe.\u201d<\/p>\n 9780679893141 The 20th Century Children\u2019s Poetry Treasury<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/133705\/the-20th-century-childrens-poetry-treasury-by-selected-by-jack-prelutsky-illustrated-by-meilo-so\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 selected by Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Meilo So <\/p>\n