Just-So Stories by Kipling

The prose is so lyrical and lush that it reads a lot like poetry, and each story is followed by a related poem. While very dense, the wording is also very beautiful, and is wonderful for a read-aloud.

All of these suggestions are great, thank you! What a special way to keep your mother’s memory alive.

Pp from 15:24. I forgot to mention a few other favorites:

Poetry Speaks to Children: this includes some more traditional poems that my kids don’t like but they’re fond of others (admittedly, this is my favorite more than theirs so we “trade” and each person gets to pick). There’s a similar hip pop speaks to children book that looks good too but I haven’t been able to find a copy

I’m just no good at rhyming by Chris Harris: I find this one (and the sequel) annoying but my kids love it. There’s a great audiobook version on Hoopla or Libby if you don’t want to have to read it yourself.

Ogden Nash: my mom loved his poems and has been reading them to my kids since they were little (oldest is 10). I think they’re weird or hard to understand but my kids find some of them hilarious.

Additional context: my mom loved poetry and read it to me all of her life. She died last year and so I read poems to my kids as a way to remember her. Just explaining so you don’t think this is a tiger-parent thing

I love In Aunt Giraffe's Green Garden by Jack Prelutsky. We’ve been reading it since my kids were little and it’s still a favorite many years later.

Here’s a list from Goodreads for children’s poetry:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1340.Best_Children_s_Poetry_Books#30119

Thank you for the suggestions! We have been having fun with Where The Sidewalk Ends, now looking for more to add to our library.

Anonymous wrote:A Light in the Attic/Where the Sidewalk Ends
Reflections on a Gift of a Watermelon Pickle
Now We Are Six

+1
Where the Sidewalk Ends
DH grew up with it and wanted to share with our kids. The quirky poetry book became a favorite for the whole family.

A Light in the Attic/Where the Sidewalk Ends
Reflections on a Gift of a Watermelon Pickle
Now We Are Six

What are your favorite poetry books for children?