Poetry Bookshop Online

Summer Reading - poetry books for children

Do you know any children aged 7-11 who require an injection of poetry into their reading lives? Then look no further than this wide-ranging selection of newly published poetry for children, all of which is available from our online bookshop with the usual 25% discount for PBS members.

Goblin in the Fridge by Matt Black (Upside Down Books)
This is a real treat of a collection comprising a wide range of subjects and styles. Bouncing energetically from serious to playful to quirky, this book will take a child on a fun-filled poetic adventure. Every so often, Matt Black will throw out a challenge to his readers with a chance for them to get creative themselves. With a wonderful riddle of a poem beginning ‘In the middle of the muddle of the sandwich of this riddle’ and fabulous illustrations from eight artists, this is a book to savour.

Hear Here! by Trevor Parsons (Hands Up Books)
There is plenty here to appeal to children; school life, Christmas, friendship, dinosaurs and other animals. There are some thoughtful and thought-provoking poems, many laced with a good dose of humour besides. Parsons is also very clever with his word play, as in the poem ‘Tricky Quiz’ which poses entertaining questions such as “Just how far can a cricket pitch? / How fast can the sugar bowl?”

The Language of Cat by Rachel Rooney (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books)
One of a new series of children’s books from the Janetta Otter-Barry Books imprint at Frances Lincoln, this is an exciting collection from a fresh new voice. From the boy who lived to regret selling his mother at the Bring and Buy sale to the queen who yearns to live like a commoner, these poems are thoughtful, funny, startling and revealing.

Best of Enemies / Best of Friends compiled by Brian Moses (Hodder Wayland)
This is a cleverly designed three-way book with a section on friendship, a section on enmity and a section covering that strange middle ground when you can’t quite work out if someone is a friend or foe. It’s a book with a mission, full of valuable insights into relationships and bullying.

Cockadoodle Moo compiled by John Foster (Oxford University Press)
Aimed at the younger age group, this collection is a joy to behold with its bright, bold illustrations and clear lay-out. There is a rich variety of content, from short lively rhymes to longer, more descriptive poems such as the charming ‘Marvel Paws’ about a magic cat.

An Imaginary Menagerie: poems and drawings by Roger Mc Gough (Frances Lincoln Books)
Running through an alphabet of animals, from allivator to zonk (some are imaginary of course!), this is a lovely collection of sweet and funny poems from one of the UK’s best-known poets. McGough excels at word play, employing sounds, rhythms and rhymes to marvellous and hilarious effect.