suggested by Joyce Sidman, children's poet and writing teacher

Picking "the best of the best" is very difficult when it comes to poetry—so much of it depends on individual taste. These are books that I love, read often, and use in teaching kids to write poetry. They are accessible to children, yet rich in meaning and detail—and have a sense of fun as well. There are many other excellent children's poetry books out there, but this is a good beginning.

All the Small Poems and Fourteen More — Valerie Worth, illus. by Natalie Babbitt

As a teacher, I feel that Valerie Worth should be the backbone of any poetry library. She infuses everyday objects (like worms or seashells) with magic, using the power of metaphor. As a writer, I am in awe of her ability to say so much with so few words. And as a reader, I love her understated humor. This is the book I use most in my teaching, the one to which I keep coming back (this particular volume is a compendium of four "small poems" books). For younger to intermediate readers.

The Dream Keeper — Langston Hughes, illus. by Brian Pinkney

This is such a satisfying book to look at and hold. Its small size and engaging, understated black-and-white etchings by Pinkney let the poems take center stage. And what poems they are! Hughes is unsurpassed at evoking beauty, yearning, joy, and grief—all with a few images. This collection was put together especially for children, and every child should read it. For intermediate readers.

Flicker Flash — Joan Bransfield Graham, illus. by Nancy Davis

Many books of concrete poetry (poetry whose words make shapes on the page) are being published these days, but this one is my favorite. Graham, following on the heels of her book about water (Splish Splash) has created 23 poems about different sources of light, from candles to galaxies. Her evocative rhyming text combines wisdom and wonder, and is well complemented by Nancy Davis's ingenious designs. For younger readers.

From the Bellybutton of the Moon and Other Summer Poems — Francisco X. Alarcón, illus. by Maya Christina Gonzales

These lighthearted summer poems in English and Spanish celebrate the simple pleasures of summer, from going barefoot to taking road trips, and are illustrated with vivid, colorful art that dances off the page. Alarcón has also written volumes for the other three seasons, but this is my favorite. For younger readers.

Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices — Paul Fleischman, illus. by Eric Beddows

Paul Fleischman does not just write books, he creates new genres. Joyful Noise is a book of poetry about insects, plural (its predecessor, I Am Phoenix, is about birds). There are two parts to each poem, meant to be read by two different voices—sometimes speaking together, sometimes separately. The technique is not only great fun for oral reading, it creates some hilarious dualities, such as that of the worker bee/queen bee. The 1988 Newbery Award Winner, with good reason. For intermediate readers.

Knock at a Star: A Child's Introduction to Poetry — X. J. Kennedy and Dorothy M. Kennedy (revised edition), illus. by Karen Ann Weinhaus

Anthologies come, anthologies go, yet this one remains my favorite (it's been in print since 1982). I like the way it's organized (What Poems Do, What's Inside a Poem, Special Kinds of Poetry, etc.), I like its funny little drawings, I like the "do-it-yourself" writing suggestions. Most of all I like the selection of poetry, chosen to represent all kinds of poetic styles and devices. Many of my favorite children's poems are in this book. It's a keeper. For younger to intermediate readers.

Little Dog Poems — Kristine O'Connell George, illus. by June Otani

How can poetry this simple be so delightful? Short, haiku-like poems follow a little dog and his small mistress through all the highs and lows of a single day. After reading this book, I immediately wanted to own it. The voice (that of the little girl) is magical, and the illustrations simple and endearing. For younger readers.

The Sky Is Always in the Sky — Karla Kuskin, illus. by Isabelle Dervaux

Here is a poet who has true child's sensibility. These wacky, mostly rhyming poems are a selection from her many books, and range from the knock-down simple ("Butter, butter, butter, is a word I love to utter," to the oddly mysterious ("Write about a radish. Too many people write about the moon."). In a manner reminiscent of Dr. Seuss, these poems delight and astound-and the illustrations are appropriately lively. For younger readers.

Talking to the Sun — ed. by Kenneth Koch and Kate Farrell. Illustrations are photographs of art the Metropolitan Museum of Art Collection

Looking for poems by great poets that kids can understand? This book is a treasure chest with hundreds of poems, from Native American chants to Percy Bysshe Shelly—illustrated with stunning artwork from the Metropolitan. An gorgeous, oversized book, it is meant for browsing, but I also use it as a resource. It's worth owning just for the art! For intermediate readers.

Winter Eyes — Douglas Florian

Florian is well known for his series of wacky animal poems, but in this volume, he also proves his ability to capture a variety of moods. Never has a writer loved winter more, and described it better—winter trees, winters clothes, winter animals, winter play. And his delicate, slightly loopy illustrations capture winter colors perfectly. For younger to intermediate readers.

Did this list find you turning to your bookshelf? Searching for that volume of children's poetry you remember so fondly? What are your favorite books of poetry? Send us an e-mail, telling us what you like and why. We'll post Members' Favorites alongside this list.