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CHERI CROW BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

In the Sea

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In the Sea

by David Elliott (Author) , Holly Meade (Illustrator)
Pre K - 2

The woodcut illustrations and bright vibrant colors make this book one kids will choose just for the pictures. But the poems are so simple and sharp that the kids will be able to tell you their favorite one after a few readings and will be able to recite it themselves. A real must for the early grades.

buy it

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Digger, Dozer, Dumper

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Digger, Dozer, Dumper
by Hope Vestergaard (Author) , David Slonim (Illustrator)
Pre K - 2

Preschool recommended! This collection of poems will be a big hit with little ones who love all kinds of transportation vehicles. Each machine gets its own poem and the topic is so close to their hearts that they will ask you to read them over and over again.

buy it

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Shiver Me Timbers: Pirate Poems & Paintings : Poems

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Shiver Me Timbers: Pirate Poems & Paintings: Poems

by Douglas Florian (Author) , Robert Neubecker (Illustrator)
Ages 6 & up

If there is a book of poetry by Doug Florian that I don't like, I haven't found it yet! The fun rhyming poems in this collection all about pirates is sure to get kids excited about poetry. This book sparks interest for kids in that they can take any subject they love and write about it through poetry!

buy it

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Cat Talk

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Cat Talk
by Patricia MacLachlan (Author) , Emily MacLachlan Charest (Author), Barry Moser (Illustrator)
Ages 6 & up

If the bugs hit home for the boys, this group of poems with cozy pictures of cats will be a favorite with all the pet lovers.

buy it

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Water Sings Blues

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Water Sings Blue: Ocean Poems

by Kate Coombs (Author) , Meilo So (Illustrator)
Ages 8 & up

This collection of poems illustrated in lovely watercolor paintings will have you wanting to visit the beach after each reading. The poems discuss topics of interest to children, like seagulls and hermit crabs and the descriptive words and fun point of view make this a winner for discussing elements of poetry and sparking conversations about the ocean.

buy it

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Read-aloud Poems

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Read-aloud Poems
by Gloria Hale
Ages 8 & up

This book is a great addition for teachers as it has a diverse collection of poems that are great for reading aloud. If you purchase The Poetry Friday Anthology which I highly recommend, this would be a wonderful resource for sharing a second poem by the same author.

buy it

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Nasty Bugs

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Nasty Bugs: Poems
by Lee Bennett Hopkins (Author) , Will Terry (Illustrator)
Ages 8 & up

I think this collection will appeal to boys who love bugs! The fact that the different authors in the collection had to do some serious research about their bugs before writing their selections, makes this a good starting point for talking about knowing your subject well.

buy it

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National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry

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National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems with Photographs That Squeak, Soar, and Roar!
by J. Patrick Lewis
Ages 8 & up

Just what you would expect from National Geographic - extraordinary photographs paired up with wonderful poetry.

buy it

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Grumbles from the Forest

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Grumbles from the Forest: Fairy-tale Voices with a Twist: Poems
by Jane Yolen (Author) , Rebecca Kai Dotlich (Author), Matt Mahurin (Illustrator)
Ages 8 & up

Last but not least, this book of poetry written from the point of view of the fairy-tale characters is a great addition to any collection. Many of the darker characters are represented and the pictures help capture their sinister nature.

buy it

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PROFESSIONAL READ BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

Poetry Friday Anthology

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Poetry Friday Anthology (Common Core K-5 edition): Poems for the school year with connections to the common core

by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong

This book has 36 poems for each grade level written by 76 distinguished poets. The best part is that for each poem they outline their "Take Five" approach: read the poem, reread with student participation, make a connection through discussion, point out a literary devise used and encourage further reading by directing them to other books by the same author or similar poems. This is an excellent way to keep the love of poetry going all school year long!

buy it

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Wishes, Lies and Dreams

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Wishes, Lies and Dreams

by Kenneth Koch

What a great way to begin a poetry writing program! Koch introduces elementary school children - mainly 3-7 grades - to writing through the use of simple repetitions, (e.g.. "I wish...." to begin each line) no rhyme or meter, and lots of freedom for crazy ideas. Collaborative poems are a helpful way to get the class comfortable with the experiments. Lessons include work with Spanish speaking students. The material is easily adapted to most instructional levels.

buy it

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Rose, Where Did You Get That Red?
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Rose, Where Did You Get That Red?

by Kenneth Koch

Koch expands his work through using great poetry as the stimulus for the children's work. William Blake's "The Tyger" is the heart of his first lesson. After helping them understand the poem, he suggests the students pretend they can speak in a secret language to "a beautiful and mysterious creature" and ask it any questions they wish. Repetition and natural language are suggested rather than using rhyme.The title of the book comes from one poem that resulted.


Koch explains something about each poet as he goes along. I've found him helpful in my own understanding of authors because he communicates well to any age level, seniors included.

In the afterword he offers a brief, clear guide to teaching revision that any author could use. Both books include many examples of children's work as well as ideas and explanations for the teacher.

buy it

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With a Poet's Eye

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With a Poet's Eye

by Jane McVeigh-Schultz / Mary Lynn Ellis

These Montgomery County authors draw us into the third grade classroom world by recounting a whole year of integrating poetry with art, music, field trips, science and showing us how the children's work grows along with these new experiences.The conversational style suggests comfortable ways for teachers to encourage children's ideas - to ask simple questions, and sometimes to push the child to write one more line.

buy it

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BOOKS ABOUT WRITING POETRY
How To Write Poetry

How To Write Poetry 
By Paul B. Janeczko

buy it

Seeing the Blue Between: Advice and Inspiration For Young Poets 

Seeing the Blue Between:
Advice and Inspiration For Young Poets 

By Paul B. Janeczko

buy it

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Write Your Own Poetry

Write Your Own Poetry 
By Laura Purdie Salas

buy it

Pizza, Pigs and Poetry: How To Write a Poem

Pizza, Pigs and Poetry:
How To Write a Poem 

By Jack Prelutsky

buy it

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You Have To Write

You Have To Write
By Janet S. Wong

buy it

How To Write a Poem

How To Write a Poem 
By Margaret Ryan

buy it

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A Writing Kind of Day: Poems For Young Poets 

A Writing Kind of Day:
Poems For Young Poets 

By Ralph Fletcher

buy it

Poetry Matters: Writing a Poem From the Inside Out 

Poetry Matters: Writing a Poem From the Inside Out 
By Ralph Fletcher

buy it

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CHILDREN BOOKS RECOMMENDED FROM AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
Here's A Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry

Here's A Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry 
By Jane Yolen

buy it

Yum! Mmmm! Que Rico!: America's Sproutings

Yum! Mmmm! Que Rico!: America's Sproutings 
By Pat Mora

buy it

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Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo (Poems) 

Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo (Poems) 
By Linda Sue Park

buy it

Blue Lipstick: Concrete Poems

Blue Lipstick:
Concrete Poems 

By John Grandits

buy it

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Good Sports: Rhymes About Running, Jumping, Throwing, and More

Good Sports: Rhymes About Running, Jumping, Throwing, and More
By Jack Prelutsky

buy it

She's All That: Poems About Girls

She's All That:
Poems About Girls 

By Belinda Hollyer

buy it


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