Celebrate National Poetry Month and beyond with beautiful books written in rhyme and verse for kids of all ages.

These picture books and chapter books will introduce your students to different types of poetry, including haikus, sonnets, limericks, free verse, and more. Plus, reading poetry will capture students’ imaginations, and also encourage them to get in touch with their inner whimsy and try to write their own!

For example, younger kids will love titles like Lovely Day, which brings the popular joyful song to the page with colorful, eye-catching illustrations and a message of hope and positivity.

There’s also the hilarious There Was An Old Lady series, perfect for kids in Pre-K-2. Written in rhyme and full of silly scenarios that will get students laughing, these books are filled with imagination, heart, and comedy. This series is sure to delight beginning readers. 

Meanwhile, students in grades 3 and up will love Serafina’s Promise, a book written in verse that tells the powerful story of Serafina, who lives in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, and dreams of becoming a doctor. The odds are stacked against her — like poverty, never-ending chores, and even earthquakes — but Serafina is determined to make her dreams come true alongside her best friend. 

The Dreamer is the moving tale of Neftalí, a sensitive soul who spends most of his days daydreaming, writing, and reading — qualities that his authoritarian father thinks are for fools. Still, Neftalí finds beauty in the smallest details, both the good and the painful, and despite facing hardships, Neftalí overcomes his shyness to become one of the most recognized poets in the world. His story will inspire your students to be their truest selves. 

Looking for more ways to incorporate poetry into your lesson plans? Here’s how to teach poetry in 10 minutes a day.

Shop more poetry books for April and beyond below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store.