Fresh new poetry for the young

Reviews by Alice Cary

Poetry is like fish, observed British writer Osbert Sitwell. If it's fresh, it's good, he said. If it's stale, it's bad. And if you're not certain, try it on the cat. If you don't have a feline handy, just read poetry aloud--your ears will tell you all you need to know. My two-year-old son has a pop-up book containing such clunky verse that I can't stand to read what's written. Instead, I've invented my own nonrhyming text, and Will's none the wiser.

There's nothing like good poetry, however, to shower a child with the music, magic, and the mystery of words. Babies love the rhythms; preschoolers and young readers delight in the humor and rhymes; while older kids can take refuge in its raw emotion.

Here's a selection bound to appeal to any budding young poets in your house.

For the very young

Rhymes and chimes and lots of fun

Collections for slightly older readers

For kids, by kids

Good poetry choices for teens

For many teens, adolescence marks the poetry years. It's such a turbulent, emotion-filled time, while also an age of literary discovery, that many become both fervent readers and writers of poetry. Here are two exceptional choices for this group: The Golden Compass
By Philip Pullman
Alfred A. Knopf

Dear Oklahoma City, Get Well Soon
Edited by Jim Ross and Paul Myers
Walker

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