National Poetry Month
April is National Poetry Month! Check out a poetry book from the Library and visit these websites to learn all about poets, poetry, and writing. Then, put pen to paper and find your inner poet!
At the Library
- Children's poetry books and audiobooks available for checkout.
Children's poetry on video and sound recordings.
Kids' Books We Love: poetry reviews and recommendations
- Encyclopedia and magazine articles about poetry and poets.
Available from home for Skokie Public Library cardholders
- Children's Literature Comprehensive Database
Search for poems by age, grade, category, author, or keyword. - Columbia Granger's Poetry
Search for poems and quotations by author, title, first line, and subject. - The New Book of Knowledge
Select Alphabetic Browse and the letter P; then scroll to Poetry for an encyclopedia article about poetry, poetry styles, and the elements of poetry. - Searchasaurus
Select Stories and then follow the link to Poems for a list of poems that have appeared in books, magazines, and newspapers.
On the Web
...for kids and students
- Giggle Poetry: Funny Poetry for Children
- The Meadowbrook Press website is filled with lots of funny poems, poetry contests, and lots more.
- Poetry4kids.com from Kenn Nesbitt
- Read and listen to lots of funny poems. You’ll also find poetry lessons, games, contests, and a rhyming dictionary.
- Writing With Writers: Poetry Writing with Jack Prelutsky, Karla Kuskin and Jean Marzollo
- Three professional poets provide tips especially for students in first through fourth grade, fourth through eighth grade, and second through fifth grade. Topics include brainstorming, using descriptive words, and working with rhythm and sound.
...for teachers and grown-ups
- LessonPlanSearch: Thematic Units: Poetry
- A compilation of lesson plans written by classroom teachers sharing ideas for introducing poetry to students.
- NewsHour Extra: Poetry
- From PBS, this online supplement to the News Hour with Jim Lehrer is designed to help teachers bring poetry into the classroom. Resources include favorite poems, lesson plans, poetry links, and much more.
- Poetry Teachers
- Especially for teachers from Meadowbrook Press, this website features tips for teaching poetry, a poetry theater, poetry contests, and all kinds of poetry fun for the classroom.
- A Treasury of Read Alouds: Poetry for Children from the Academy of American Poets
- The American Academy of Poets posts essays on teaching poetry and a bibliography of read-aloud poetry books for classroom use.
- Writing with Writers: Teacher’s Guide
- Especially for teachers! Find out how to make the most of Writing With Writers: Poetry Writing with Jack Prelutsky, Karla Kuskin and Jean Marzollo in the classroom. Three professional poets provide tips especially for students in first through fourth grade, fourth through eighth grade, and second through fifth grade. Topics include brainstorming, using descriptive words, and working with rhythm and sound.