This gorgeous collection of animal poems from Roger Stevens, Liz Brownlee and Sue Hardy-Dawson will entrance and delight in equal measure. Featuring a full alphabet of animals, birds, and insects, with the odd extinct or imaginary creature thrown in, these beautiful shape poems are a perfect way to introduce children to poetry. Some funny, some serious, there is something here for everyone. Book band: Dark Blue

"Phillip Shabazz is the children's grist.this collection of story poems invite the reader to clap, cheer, sing, dance, mourn, but never forget."

-Jaki Shelton Green, poet, winner of the North Carolina Award for Literature

"In this, his third collection of poems, Phillip Shabazz has created a novel in verse that explores the joys, mysteries, and challenges of childhood.Shabazz's poems reach us like raindrops on the skin, some warm, some stinging, but all reminders of how we are connected to each other within one big human spirit."

-Joe Cole, professor of ethics and philosophy at Guilford College, Greensboro, North Carolina, columnist for the Raleigh "News & Observer"

Told through the eyes of a young boy, "When the Grass Was Blue" poetically portrays the trials and hardships of growing up in the South during the Civil Rights era of the 1960s.

On the surface, Kathoor, the youngest child in a working-class African American family from Louisville, Kentucky, appears sheltered in a stable home with his working father, faithful mother, and cool big brother. But as dysfunction in his family becomes apparent, Kathoor senses their familial closeness slipping away-and he feels as though he's losing the most important people in his life. Trying to adjust, Kathoor's only option is to search for strength within his own heart.

Liza Seele's nose snortingly hilarious Potjie Pot Poems, with belly laugh inducing illustrations from Shannan Gia, from the South African melting pot brings children together under one banner: No more boring poems allowed at school! Dive into 85 pages of 30 different poems and join the Mzansi textbook strike.

Poems to read and to perform
Rhymes in every shape and form
For kids, teachers, schools alike
Who have joined the Mzansi textbook strike:
It's time to march and then toyi-toyi
For every girl and every boy
Who's had to sit at school and suffer
One dreary poem after another!
Bring back poems that hit the spot,
Like those from the S'African melting pot...
We demand a brand-new rule:
No boring poems allowed at school!

Penelope Dyan is back with more of her wonderful poetry for children. This time she enters the world of fairytales, fairies, elves, witches and gnomes--the stuff from which dreams are made. This is the hardcover with dustjacket version of this book. Dyan continues in her tradition of creating poetry kids of all ages can enjoy, especially little princesses; and her sensitivity to children and her expertise in the filed of education makes this book of poems a pure delight. Dyan is a writer, former educator, and an attorney, and is the author of several delightful Bellissima Children's books. Watch for Dyan's Penny Mouse Beginning Readers for Children, published by Bellissima This book is also available in case laminate hardcover and in softcover versions, ISBN's 0-9794006-2-7; and 0-9794006-3-5.

From the fantastic duo behind Poems Aloud and Smile Out Loud comes another compendium of 25 original confidence-building poems to read out loud which will show children that their voice has FANTASTIC power. From multi-award winning poet and Waterstones Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho comes 25 more brilliant, sparkling and truly original poems for children, specially written to help build confidence, develop speaking skills and help foster self-belief. The collection contains mantras to be true to yourself, to help you feel brave, project happiness, conjure a smile, make you laugh or cheer others up. Some are odes, some can be said as personal mantras or just poems that instil confidence and help children realise the power of their voices. Reading these poems aloud will teach children the power of a poem, encouraging them to explore the magic of language and foster a love of verse. This book follows on from Poems Aloud and Smile Out Loud, the hugely succesful books from Joseph Coehlo,illustrated in beautifully vivid colour by Daniel Gray-Barnett. These books have inspired thousands of young readers at home and in classrooms to speak up and love the power of their own voice. "Poetry for children is dead. Really? Not when there are young poets like Joseph Coelho" -Books for Keeps "A fresh new voice in Children's poetry" - Roger McGough

The creators of A Nantucket Nanny cross the water to Martha's Vineyard, offering smiles for all ages in this new collection of limericks.

This is a book of poems for girls who love to dance, and it was written for a very special little girl who has music in her heart and dance in her soul. Full of love and whimsy, Penelope Dyan has done it again; and she has produced a delightful little book, perfect for carrying along in your favorite dancer's dance bag. This book is certain to be enjoyed by dancers of all ages, young and old, and by anyone who appreciates dance. It is a book your dancer will cherish because like the true art of dance, this book came from the heart. Penelope Dyan has written several books of poetry for children, and as a former teacher, a mother and a grandmother, she has exhibited her love for children once again in the pages of this wonderful book. Add this book to your Penelope Dyan poetry books for kids collection!