Poetry Text Sets (Ages 5-12)

Here is the second installment of my list of "text sets" from my resource book, The Poetry Teacher's Book of Lists.  “Text sets” of books linked in some way can prompt lessons of compare/contrast and discussion of poetic voice, stylistic choices, etc. The following sets are ideal for children ages 5-12, but can certainly crossover to other ages. Each mini set includes 3 or more poetry books authored by one poet, focused on a single topic or theme, and formatted to be very similar in design and appearance. This aids in guiding discussion, comparison, and analysis. This focus on a single poet or anthologist offers the opportunity to talk about the writer's voice and how you recognize his or her distinctive style across multiple books. So many possibilities for exploration and fun. And for more about my LIST book, go here.

FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN (ages 5-12)

The Shel Silverstein set
Silverstein, Shel. 1974. Where the Sidewalk Ends. New York: Harper and Row.
Silverstein, Shel. 1981. A Light in the Attic. New York: Harper & Row.
Silverstein, Shel. 1996. Falling Up. New York: HarperCollins.
Silverstein, Shel. 2011. Every Thing On It. HarperCollins.

The Jack Prelutsky set
Prelutsky, Jack. 1984. The New Kid on the Block. New York: Greenwillow.
Prelutsky, Jack. 1990. Something Big Has Been Here. New York: Scholastic.
Prelutsky, Jack. 1996. A Pizza the Size of the Sun. New York: Greenwillow.
Prelutsky, Jack. 2000. It’s Raining Pigs & Noodles. New York: Greenwillow.
Prelutsky, Jack. 2008. My Dog May Be a Genius. New York: Greenwillow.

School poetry
Dakos, Kalli. 1990. If You're Not Here, Please Raise Your Hand: Poems about School.  New York: Four Winds Press.
Dakos, Kalli. 1993. Don't Read This Book Whatever You Do!: More Poems about School. New York: Trumpet Club.
Dakos, Kalli. 1995. Mrs. Cole on an Onion Roll and Other School Poems. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Dakos, Kalli. 1996. The Goof Who Invented Homework and Other School Poems. New York: Dial.
Dakos, Kalli. 1999. The Bug in Teacher’s Coffee. New York: HarperCollins.
Dakos, Kalli. 2003. Put Your Eyes Up Here: And Other School Poems. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Dakos, Kalli. 2011. A Funeral in the Bathroom and Other School Bathroom Poems. Albert Whitman.

Humor and nonsense
Brown, Calef. 1998. Polkabats and Octopus Slacks: 14 Stories. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 
Brown, Calef. 2000. Dutch Sneakers and Flea Keepers: 14 More Stories. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Brown, Calef. 2006. Flamingos on the Roof. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Brown, Calef. 2008. Soup For Breakfast. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Identity and friendship
Grimes, Nikki. 1994. Meet Danitra Brown. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard.
Grimes, Nikki. 2002. Danitra Brown Leaves Town. New York: HarperCollins.
Grimes, Nikki. 2005. Danitra Brown, Class Clown. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard.

Poems and quilts
Hines, Anna Grossnickle. 2005. Winter Lights: A Season in Poems & Quilts. New York: Greenwillow.
Hines, Anna Grossnickle. 2011. Peaceful Pieces: A Year in Poems and Quilts. New York: Greenwillow.
Hines, Anna Grossnicle. 2001. Pieces: A Year in Poems and Quilts. New York: Greenwillow.

The seasons (bilingual Spanish/English)
Alarcón, Francisco X. 1997. Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems/Jitomates Risuenos y Otros Poemas de Primavera. San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press.
Alarcón, Francisco X. 1998. From the Bellybutton of the Moon and Other Summer Poems/Del Ombligo de la Luna y Otros Poemas de Verano. San Francisco: Children’s Book Press.
Alarcón, Francisco X. 1999. Angels Ride Bikes and Other Fall Poems. San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press.
Alarcón, Francisco X. 2001. Iguanas in the Snow and Other Winter Poems/ Iguanas en la Nieve y Otros Poemas de Invierno. San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press.

More seasonal poems
Schnur, Steven. 1997. Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic. New York: Clarion.
Schnur, Steven. 1999. Spring: An Alphabet Acrostic. New York: Clarion.
Schnur, Steven. 2001. Summer: An Alphabet Acrostic. New York: Clarion.
Schnur, Steven. 2002. Winter: An Alphabet Acrostic. New York: Clarion.

Holiday poems
Livingston, Myra Cohn. Ed. 1985. Easter Poems. New York: Holiday House.
Livingston, Myra Cohn. Ed. 1985. Thanksgiving Poems. New York: Holiday House.
Livingston, Myra Cohn. Ed. 1986. Poems for the Jewish Holidays. New York: Holiday House.
Livingston, Myra Cohn. Ed. 1987. Valentine Poems. New York: Holiday House.
Livingston, Myra Cohn. Ed. 1988. Poems for Mothers. New York: Holiday House.
Livingston, Myra Cohn. Ed. 1989. Halloween Poems. New York: Holiday House.
Livingston, Myra Cohn. 1985. Celebrations. New York: Holiday House.
Livingston, Myra Cohn. 1989. Birthday Poems. New York: Holiday House.

Food poetry (bilingual Spanish/English)
Argueta, Jorge. 2009. Sopa de frijoles/ Bean Soup. Ill. by Rafael Yockteng. Toronto, ON: Groundwood.
Argueta, Jorge. 2010. Arroz con leche; Rice Pudding. Ill. by Fernando Vilela. Toronto, ON: Groundwood.
Argueta, Jorge. 2012. Guacamole; Un poema para cocinar/ A Cooking Poem. Ill. by Margarita Sada. Groundwood.

Animals
Florian, Douglas. 1996. On the Wing: Bird Poems and Paintings. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.
Florian, Douglas. 1997. In the Swim: Poems and Paintings. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.
Florian, Douglas. 1998. Insectlopedia: Poems and Paintings. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.
Florian, Douglas. 2000. Mammalabilia: Poems and Paintings. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.
Florian, Douglas. 2001. Bow Wow Meow Meow. San Diego: Harcourt.
Florian, Douglas. 2003. Lizard, Frogs, and Polliwogs. San Diego: Harcourt.
Florian, Douglas. 2004. Omnibeasts. San Diego: Harcourt.
Florian, Douglas. 2005. Zoo’s Who. San Diego, CA: Harcourt.
Florian, Douglas. 2009. Dinothesaurus. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Birds
Yolen, Jane. 2002. Wild Wings: Poems for Young People. Honesdale, PA: Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press.
Yolen, Jane. 2004. Fine Feathered Friends: Poems for Young People. Honesdale, PA: Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press.
Yolen, Jane. 2010. An Egret’s Day. Honesdale, PA: Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press.
Yolen, Jane. 2011. Birds of a Feather. Ill. by Jason Stemple. Boyds Mills Press.

Ecosystem poems
Sidman, Joyce. 2005. Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems. Ill. By Beckie Prange. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Sidman, Joyce. 2006. Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow. Ill. by Beth Krommes. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Sidman, Joyce. 2010. Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night. Ill. by Rick Allen. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

U.S. history and poetry
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Ed. 1994. Hand in Hand: An American History through Poetry.  New York: Simon & Schuster. 
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Ed. 1999. Lives: Poems about Famous Americans. New York: HarperCollins.
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Ed. 2000. My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 2008. Ed. America at War. New York: McElderry.

Famous historical figures
Lewis, J. Patrick. 2005. Vherses: A Celebration of Outstanding Women. Mankato, MN: Creative Editions.
Lewis, J. Patrick. 2005. Heroes and She-Roes: Poems of Amazing and Everyday Heroes. New York: Dial.
Lewis, J. Patrick.  2000. Freedom Like Sunlight: Praisesongs for Black Americans. Mankato, MN: Creative Editions.
Lewis, J. Patrick. 2012. When Thunder Comes: Poems for Civil Rights Leaders. San Francisco: Chronicle.

Poems of place
Siebert, Diane. 1988. Mojave. New York: Crowell.
Siebert, Diane. 1989. Heartland. New York: Crowell.
Siebert, Diane. 1991. Sierra. New York: HarperCollins.
Siebert, Diane. 2000. Cave. New York: HarperCollins.

Native American perspectives
Bruchac, Joseph. 1992.  Thirteen Moons on Turtle’s Back: A Native American Year of Moons. New York: Philomel Books.
Bruchac, Joseph. 1995. The Earth under Sky Bear's Feet: Native American Poems of the Land. New York: Philomel Books.
Bruchac, Joseph. 1996. Between Earth and Sky:  Legends of Native American Sacred Places. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.

Poems and music
Myers, Walter Dean. 1997. Harlem: A Poem. New York: Scholastic.
Myers, Walter Dean. 2003. Blues Journey. New York: Holiday House.
Myers, Walter Dean. 2006. Jazz. Ill. by Christopher Myers. New York: Holiday House.

Poem riddles
Lewis, J. Patrick. 1996. Riddle-icious. New York: Scholastic.
Lewis, J. Patrick. 1998. Riddle-Lightful: Oodles of Little Riddle-Poems. Knopf.
Lewis, J. Patrick. 2004. Scientrickery: Riddles in Science. San Diego: Harcourt.
Lewis, J. Patrick. 2009. Spot the Plot! A Riddle Book of Book Riddles. San Francisco: Chronicle.

Poem forms
Janeczko, Paul B. Ed. 2001. A Poke in the I: A Collection of Concrete Poems. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.
Janeczko, Paul B.. Ed. 2005. A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.
Janeczko, Paul. 2009. A Foot in the Mouth; Poems to Speak, Sing, and Shout. Ill. by Chris Raschka. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

Poetry e-books
Vardell, Sylvia and Wong, Janet. Eds. 2011. P*TAG. PoetryTagTime.
Vardell, Sylvia and Wong, Janet. Eds. 2011. PoetryTagTime. PoetryTagTime
Vardell, Sylvia and Wong, Janet. Eds. 2011. Gift Tag. PoetryTagTime.

Poems with audio CDs of poets reading
Giovanni, Nikki. Coll. 2008. Hip Hop Speaks to Children. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks.
Paschen, Elise and Raccah, Dominique. Ed. 2005. Poetry Speaks to Children. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks.
Paschen, Elise and Raccah, Dominique. Ed. 2010. Poetry Speaks; Who I Am. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks.

Are there any poetry text sets that I have missed that you have found meaningful for sharing with students at the elementary level (ages 5-12)?

I'll be sharing similar lists for middle school and high school in the next two weeks. Stay tuned.

Join the rest of the Poetry Friday gathering hosted by Irene Latham at Live Your Poem here.


Copyright Sylvia M. Vardell 2012. All rights reserved.