Take the pain out of writing poetry with these super books. Packed full of prompts, ideas and accessible explanations of poetic techniques and genres, these engaging titles enable everyone to write their own poems and be a poet. Enjoy!
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Explore Poetry
by Andi Diehn (author), Bryan Stone (illustrator)
Review: This brightly coloured book is a delight for young readers. Fun, cartoon-style characters and illustrations explain the world and language of poetry in a highly engaging way. New vocabulary is defined clearly on the page, whilst “did you know” sections provide fascinating facts. Inlaid boxes introduce children to poets old and new. The activities featured throughout the book are diverse and appealing. Students can create a seasonal poetry mobile, for example, or are guided through how to write free verse. As well as exploring forms of poetry and literary techniques, the book also looks at poetry, music and maths, and the impact of poetry on the brain. This is a terrific and interesting introduction to poetry.
Suggested Reading Age: 7 – 10 years old
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tip: Let’s Perform: One of the activities in the book encourages the students to read their poems aloud. Watch examples of poets performing their poems for an audience (you can find these on YouTube). What do they notice? Discuss the tone of voice, hand gestures, etc.
Pizza, Pigs and Poetry: How To Write A Poem
by Jack Prelutsky
Review: Written by former Children’s Poet Laureate, Jack Prelutsky, this book is truly olden (published in 2008) but golden. Wonderfully funny, Prelutsky demystifies poetry writing by sharing his thoughts and process, making it accessible and attainable for all. He begins each chapter with an anecdote from his own life. Chapters include My Mother’s Rules, An Awful, Awful Meal and Performing Bananas and Flying Hotdogs. Each anecdote leads to one of Prelutsky’s poems. Following this, he provides writing tips as to how young writers can draw on their own experiences to craft a similarly themed poem. A highly enjoyable read, this is sure to generate some entertaining poems!
Suggested Age Range: 8 – 12 years old. In my opinion, I feel that older students would pick up some useful tips from this, too.
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tips: Dip In: This book is text-driven. Its lack of illustrations makes it less appealing/accessible for some. To get the most from the book and maintain interest, dip in and out of the text. Accompany it by looking for illustrated versions of the poems included or clips of the poems being read aloud.
Write Your Own Poems
by Jerome Martin
Review: Visually appealing from front to back, this colourful book makes even the most reluctant poet want to dip into its pages. Readers’ understanding of poetry is developed through four distinct sections. Young writers explore what poems look and sound like as well as what poems are about. In addition, they explore how they can push the boundaries of poetry writing. A useful toolkit provides further guidance on poetic techniques and how to use them. Complemented by appealing illustrations and plenty of space to try out techniques, this is a perfect gift for aspiring poets.
Suggested Reading Age: 8 – 12 years old.
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tip: Poet’s Pocketbook: Ask students to personalise a notebook and use it to note down their ideas for poems.
Limelight
by Solli Raphael
Review: At just 12 years of age Solli Raphael won Australia’s Poetry Slam. Written by Solli, this highly approachable and engaging book provides young readers with a terrific introduction to Slam Poetry. The book is divided into two parts. The first introduces poetry and slam poetry, whilst the second features Solli’s poems. Speaking directly to his audience, Solli provides first-hand tips for young writers along with insights into his experiences performing poetry. The inclusion of poems addressing issues such as climate change, serve to highlight the power of poetry and the relevance it continues to have in the modern world. Well worth a read.
Suggested Reading Age: 10 – 15
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tip: Slam Special: Ask students to write poems on topics that are important to them. Organise and hold a poetry slam. Hewitt’s Guide to Slam Poetry and Poetry Slam would be a useful resource to help set one up.
Smash Poetry Journal: 125 Writing Ideas for Inspiration and Self Exploration
By Robert Lee Brewer
Review: Reminiscent of the Smash This Journal series, this interactive book invites its readers to fill it in. Chock full of often highly original prompts, Robert Brewer has compiled over a hundred ideas to draw out the poet in everyone. Brewer’s dedication, “For all the poets, whether they know it or not”, gives hope to the student (young or old!) who believes they are not a poet. Complete with explanations as to types of poems, readers are encouraged to have a go. This is a perfect book to set your ideas free and unleash your hidden (or not so hidden) inner poet.
Suggested Reading Age: Teens/older teens. In my opinion, this would suit older teens who already have some experience in writing poetry.
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tip: Idea Quickfire: As its title suggests, there is a lot of blank space to fill in this journal. For some students, this will be somewhat daunting. To help get their creative juices flowing, first look at a prompt with the students. Then have a quickfire idea round where, having been given a few minutes thinking time, students call out all of the ideas they can think of.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote, “Poetry: the best words in their best order”. Check out this post to help students develop their word choice.
Happy Reading!
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