The diverse poetry books on this list encompasses a variety of poetic forms. Themes include play, family, identity, friends and just silly and fun poems accompanied by illustrations that reflect the multicultural world our children inhabit.
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Culturally Diverse Poetry for Kids
Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets, by Kwame Alexander, Chris Colderley and Marjory Wentworth, illustrated by Ekua Holmes
This book is a splendid cross-cultural collection of poetry. Original poems celebrate the work of a wide group of classic and contemporary poets. This book is an excellent way for families to explore famous poets and their impact on readers.
The Mistakes That Made Us: Confessions from Twenty Poets, curated by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, illustrated by Mercè López
Every kid knows what it's like to feel the red-hot flames of embarrassment. Now they can commiserate with others and be inspired to see their mistakes as stepping stones to growth as they read these poems about other real life embarrassing moments.
If I Could Choose a Best Day: Poems of Possibility, edited by Charles Waters and Irene Latham, illustrated by Olivia Sua
Inspire your kids to realize that anything is possible with this collection of new and classic poems that tackle "ifs." These optimistic poems are a joy to read aloud and Sua's illustrations perfectly complement words that encourage kids to pay close attention to the world around them.
Feel the Beat: Dance Poems that Zing from Salsa to Swing by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Kristi Valiant
I absolutely adore this book. Children will love this collection of short snappy poems about dance. Each one holds the rhythm of the music, and the collection includes a variety of cultures and traditions. The text comes with a CD of music because no doubt the poems will make everyone want to get up and dance!
What Are Little Girls Made Of? by Jeanne Willis, illustrated by Isabelle Follath
Find it: Amazon
Willis' book is an utterly delightful, and often hilarious, collection of feminist re-imaginings of traditional nursery rhymes. Isabelle Follath's illustrations depict girls from all backgrounds and abilities.
Thanku: Poems of Gratitude, edited by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Marlena Myles
Your kids will be inspired by this inclusive collection of poems about being thankful. The huge variety of poetic forms even includes a math poem!
A Full Moon Is Rising by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Julia Cairns
This collection of poems celebrates the magic of a full moon as it is experienced around the globe. There are poems set it the city, the country, and across the world from Africa to China to Colombia. Different religious and ethnic traditions are represented, including Sukkot, moon watching in Canada, and a Chinese Moon Festival. End papers include notes and a map of all the locations that appear throughout the book.
Fresh-Picked Poetry: A Day at the Farmers' Market by Michelle Schaub, illustrated by Amy Huntington
Celebrate community with this fun collection of poems about diverse kids and their families exploring an urban farmers' market. I love how upbeat the poems are, and who knows, maybe reading these poems will encourage your children to finish their beets. (Dare to dream.)
Jazz by Walter Dean Myers, illustrated by Christopher Myers
Fifteen gorgeously rhythmic and evocative poems encourage kids to delight in all the different forms of jazz music. Readers will enjoy a journey through the history of the uniquely American music like bebop, boogie, and ragtime. Christopher Myers' dynamic illustrations shine!
MORE: The poetry bedtime routine your kids will cherish
A Stick Is an Excellent Thing: Poems Celebrating Outdoor Play by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
These poems celebrate kids playing in the great outdoors, from the monkey bars at the playground to urban sidewalks to backyard sprinklers. Every single page features a diverse group of faces and almost every child will see someone who looks like them in this book. I only wish the collaborators had thought to illustrate a child with a physical disability in the book (they like to play, too!); then it would be perfect.
Looking Like Me by Walter Dean Myers, illustrated by Christopher Myers
I love the upbeat tempo of the poetry in this book! A young boy, Jeremy, narrates this poem/picture book. The poem begins as he looks in the mirror, declaring, "That's who I am." He then meets friends and family in his city neighborhood, all of whom describe him differently.  He is a brother, artist, runner, writer, and more. The poem is an infectious, joyful celebration of one boy's self-esteem and identity. This is a wonderful poem to read with your kids and then have a conversation about all the different aspects of who they are.
A Poke in the IÂ by Paul B. Janeczko, illustrated by Chris Raschka
Find it: Amazon
Concrete poems are poems in which the visual arrangement of the words on the page are as essential to the meaning as the text itself.  For example, the text of the poem "Giraffe" is printed out in the shape of a giraffe. "Tennis Anyone" will have your eyes bouncing back and forth across the page. Kids love concrete poems for their playful nature, and creating their own concrete poems is a wonderfully fun writing exercise. Raschka's stylized illustrations feature characters in every color.
MORE: Concrete Poetry Books for Kids
Can I Touch Your Hair?: Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, illustrated by Sean Qualls and Selina Alko
Poems in two voices tell the story of a white girl and a black boy becoming friends at school while working on a class poetry project. The poems (written by a white woman and a black man) dive into topics of race, family life, friendship and school experiences in a very accessible way. The illustrations are a great accompaniment.
Confetti: Poems for Children by Pat Mora, illustrated by Enrique O. Sanchez
Confetti is a joyful collection of short poems sprinkled with Spanish words. Pat Mora has done a wonderful job composing poems that will appeal to very young children on a range of subjects like colors, nature, counting and everyday moments. One of my favorites is "Leaf Soup."
MORE: 8 Ways To Use Poetry to Calm Your Kids
One Leaf Rides the Wind by Celeste Mannis, illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung
Kids will love these counting haiku poems. The poems follow a young girl as she explores a traditional Japanese garden. This is a great introduction to haiku and also includes information about gardens, haikus, and their place in Japanese culture.
MORE: Haiku Books for Kids
The Blacker the Berry by Joyce Carol Thomas, illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Each poem is named after a color, like "Golden Goodness," "Cranberry Red," or "Coffee Will Make You Black" to celebrate a wide range of skin tones. I love the acknowledgement that "black" is not a single shade. Illustrator Floyd Cooper's cheerful faces peer up at the reader from the pages of the book.
Iguanas in the Snow: And Other Winter Poems / Iguanas en la Nieve: Y Otros Poemas de Invierno (series) by Francisco X. Alarcón, illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez
Alarcón's book is a bilingual collection of poems that is part of a four book series spanning the seasonal year. Each short poem in free verse is in both Spanish and English, presenting snapshots of a diverse group of children enjoying wintery life to the fullest. Be sure to read the poetry collections for every season!
Family Poems for Every Day of the Week: Poemas Familiares Para Cada Dia de la Semana by Francisco X. Alarcón, illustrated by Maya Gonzales
Francisco X. Alarcón's joyful poems about family activities—like visiting, celebrating, working and playing—during the week are fun to read aloud. This collection of diverse poetry is presented in both English and Spanish.
MORE: Classic poems for kids to memorize
In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall by various poets, illustrated by Javaka Steptoe
This is a collection of poems by different authors honoring fathers, specifically African-American fathers, but of course children of all races and cultures will be able to relate to the feelings and attitudes expressed in the poems. Some of the poetic imagery and language is sophisticated, for ages 7 and up, but there is something for everyone here. (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award )
Meet Danitra Brown by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Floyd Cooper
I've never read a poetry book like this; it's a joyful ode to a friend and I love the idea. The collection of exuberant poems is narrated by a young girl, Zuri Jackson, about her best friend, Danitra. It would be a great writing project for kids, too–have them write poems about their friends! (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award)
Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back: A Native American Year of Moons by Joseph Bruchac and Jonathan London
I've always loved the idea of naming all the moons of year. This beautiful book of diverse poetry celebrates the Native American year through each of the thirteen moons.
A Pocketful of Poems by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Javaka Steptoe
Tiana has a pocketful of words and each word inspires a delightful short poem. I'm especially fond of haiku as "poetry for beginners" and its short form makes it easy to share with even the youngest kids. I love Steptoe's collage illustrations.
MORE: Practice writing haiku during week 4 of the Poetry Writing Challenge
Tan to Tamarind: Poems about the Color Brown by Malathi Michelle Iyengar, illustrated by Jamel Akib
This classic poetry book is a collection of poems about all the gorgeous skin colors in the world.
Once Around the Sun by Bobbi Katz, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Find it: Amazon
Each month gets its own poem capturing the type of childhood moments we might look back on with nostalgia. In the background, a diverse group of children romp and play through the seasons and around their city.
Johanna says
I'm in! I used to recite poetry and wrote poems, so it is one of my favorite activity as a parent too. Thanks for the challenge!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Great! I started yesterday but my son wanted me to read the entire poetry book, not just one poem, so I guess it was a successful beginning!
Maria Gianferrari says
Thanks for the great list, Erica! I've been subscribing to your site for quite awhile (I found it on Pragmatic Mom), but this is the first time that I've commented.
I'm a HUGE fan of haiku picture books, and of Wonton especially. I heard her speak at a conference a few years ago & she mentioned a sequel with Wonton and a dog character. I am eagerly awaiting it!
Here are some others that are also well done:
A new one by Jon J. Muth, Hi, Koo! (featuring Koo, Stillwater's nephew)
Dogku by Andrew Clements
Grace Lin's Our Seasons with seasonal-oriented haikus and a longer nonfiction explanations.
For general nature-oriented poetry, I love all of Joyce Sidman's work--it's stellar.
Marilyn Singer's reverso poems are amazing in Mirror Mirror and the sequel, Follow, Follow.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thank you so much for leaving a comment, Maria. I love these recommendations you have for more poetry books. A couple of them are new to me and I look forward to checking them out!
bookseedstudio says
Erica,
My first time here at this vibrant world you've created. Brava to you.
Glad for these titles.
I read in Kindergarten through the volunteer BookPALS effort, of the Screen Actors Guild.
I'm espcially glomming onto MEET DANITRA BROWN not only to read to the kiddos ( a word I've used for years am not appropriating... but also for my own book list at my blog/site -
Bookseedstudio
http://bookseedstudio.wordpress.com/2014/03/26/a-young-poet-in-character/
I became Intrigued with the young poet-making character, Calpurnia, in THE SECRET RIVER, recently reissued with artwork from Leo & Daine Dillon.
Now, I'm on the hunt for titles of picture books, chapter books or even middle grade novels, where a young character also writes poems.
If you can help, I'd be in your debt.
many thanks,
Jan
ps Manhattan is where we brought our daughter as often as we could from her birth state & our re-located home, Florida, to learn about great city parks, museums & sky-high views. She's now in Boston in college & still loves NYC.
Erica MomandKiddo says
That's a good question about a character who likes to write poems. I'm sure there is one! Thanks for your comment!
howlingyoga says
Thank you for sharing poetry books! I am all up for reading them to kids and experiencing the fun and aliveness of poems. I just self-published my first book; it is a poem mixed up with yoga poses to raise awareness about our beautiful rainforests. I invite to come check out a few posts I wrote about it.
Btw, I found you through Kid Lit Blog Hop.
Thereza Howling
Alicia Owen says
Wow! Who knew there were so many children's poetry books? I used to love reading and writing poetry when I was younger. Thank you for sharing!
ccarpinello says
Thanks for the great selection of children's poetry books. Going to look into these. Stopping by from the Kid Lit Blog Hop!