Poetry Friday-Poetry for Children

One of the most delightful aspects of children's literature is poetry for children. Even the coolest, toughest 8th grader will perk up for the likes of Shel Silverstein. Interestingly, my preschoolers even loved Shel Silverstein. And every kid in between LOVES good poetry. Genius poetry like his knows no age limits. Pluck me an adult off the street, and he or she would laugh out loud at Silverstein's "Sick". Another great and funny poet for children is Jack Prelutsky. His books always please. National Poetry Month is April, so for the month of April, the bedtime stories are all poems. The kids LOVE them, and I love them because they're short and sweet. I can read ten of them if I feel like it, and we're ready for bed pretty early. Or we can read one or two. Plus, poetry still lets us imagine the scene in our heads since it is usually accompanied by minimal illustrations. Pick up one of Silverstein or Prelutsky's books and keep it on the bedside table in your child's room. It will be a hit, I promise.

PICTURE DAY

Mom makes me wear an itchy shirt,
Comb my hair and wash off dirt.
Teachers say play quiet games,
Stay inside, make picture frames.
Wash our faces after lunch,
Tuck in shirts, wait a bunch.
Free plastic combs to fix our hair,
Stand in line, try not to stare.
"Sit down here. Lift your chin.
Smile real big. Let's lean in."
Camera flashes, blinded sight.
Stumble out and stand upright.
Finally we rush outside,
Shirt tails out, real smiles wide.
No stiff pose. No smile so fake.
THAT's the picture they should take.
Camera man should take a hike
And capture what we're REALLY like.

Have a GREAT week-end, and hey, take the time for a little poetry in your life.