Out of the Dust

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse, 1997

Brief annotation:

In a series of poems, fifteen-year-old Billie Jo relates the hardships of living on her family's wheat farm in Oklahoma during the dust bowl years of the Depression.

Themes include the Great Depression, family, friendship, the dust bowl and poetry.

This book really personalizes the Great Depression and particularly the dust bowl. It can be used in the history classroom or, since it is written in free verse, a poetry unit in an English or reading class.

- John Newbery Medal, 1998
- Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, 1998

The Llama Who Had No Pajama

The Llama Who Had No Pajama by Mary Ann Hoberman and illustrated by Betty Fraser, 1998

Brief annotation:

An illustrated collection of poems about all sorts of subjects, including "Wishes," "Ducks," "When I Need a Real Baby," and "Growing."

Themes include whimsical poems on many, many topics such as play, seasons, animals and growing up.

Since this book has poems of dealing with so many different topics, it would be a good book to use to have children pick their own favorites poem. Perhaps have a student read a poem of their choosing before each class during a poetry unit.

Handsprings

Handsprings, by Douglas Florian, 2006

Brief annotation:

This collection of poems and paintings captures the freshness and promise of spring, whether it comes in like a lion or a lamb. A companion to the highly praised Winter Eyes, Summersaults, and Autumnblings, Handsprings completes Douglas Florian's seasonal celebration.

Themes including winter to spring, spring, growth and poetry.

This is a good book for spring time and a poetry unit. It does not need to be an intense study of poetry, simply exposure to poetry with the timely topic of spring.

Winter Friends

Winter Friends by Mary Quattlebaum and illustrated by Hiroe Nakata, 2005

Brief annotation:

A snowfall.
A lost mitten.
A chance meeting.
A winter day just right for new friendships and fun.
The weather outside may be frosty, but Mary Quattlebaum’s lively story in poems and Hiroe Nakata’s joyful illustrations celebrate the good times to be had by all. So curl up with Winter Friends and delight in the simple pleasure of the season!

Themes include friendship, poetry and winter.

This book in verse is good to ease the youngest readers into an appreciation of poetry. It is a good storytime book during the winter months.

The Day I Fell Down the Toilet and Other Poems

The Day I Fell Down the Toilet and Other Poems by Steve Turner and illustrated by David Mostyn, 1996

Brief annotation:

Best friends and animals, schooldays and secret ambitions, boring days and embarrassing moments—these are a few of the topics featured in this collection. Also included are more serious subjects such as creation, death, and pollution.

Themes include poetry, creation, environmentalism, every day life and death.

This is another fun book for a poetry unit. This is appropriate for older children and the humor as well as relatability of these poems will help children appreciate poetry.

The Beauty of the Beast: Poems from the Animal Kingdom

The Beauty of the Beast: Poems from the Animal Kingdom by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by Meilo So, 1997

Brief annotation:

An illustrated collection of poems about animals, insects, and birds by poets from different parts of the world.

Themes include poetry, animals and world culture.

This is a good book for a poetry unit because it is a varied collection in terms of cultural elements and it deals with a favorite topic of children: animals.