Poetry books for the Poetry Friendly Classroom

Everyone loves a celebration and with this lively, multicultural, poetry anthology there is an excuse to celebrate almost all year round

This is an hilarious collection of some well-loved fairy tales, cleverly reinvented by Roald Dahl.

Legendary poets John Agard and Grace Nichols, both originally from the Caribbean, have compiled a lovely book of poems featuring their own work alongside eleven others, forming a generous ​‘Caribbean Dozen’ of wordsmiths.

This accessible collection of poems is fun and thoughtful and an ideal resource for teachers. The focus here is on poems that sound great read aloud, so be sure to sing them, chant them and enjoy the way they sound.

Joseph Coelho has written the brilliant poems in this book to help children spread happiness. 

A joyous collection of funny, accessible poems that are wonderful to read aloud. Perfect for inspiring children to write their own poems. 

A fully illustrated, fun and funky collection of 60 poems to help boost reading and spelling or to enjoy as shared reading.

Shortlisted for the 2004 Nestlé Smarties Book Prize (age 6–8 category), an exploration of an unlikely friendship between two very different boys.

This brilliant and imaginatively illustrated book is the perfect addition to any classroom library; a book of clever poems picking out some of the many personalities that pupils will find sitting next to them in assemblies, lunch queues and in playgrounds.

Annie loves drawing, running barefoot, her family, and possibly Max, her running partner. It’s an eventful time for the 12-year-old: as her mother is about to give birth, her beloved grandfather is sliding slowly into dementia.

How do you define a poem? Song lyrics, performance pieces, blank verse, a Shakespearean speech and hilarious rhymes, both classic and brand-new, make this an anthology where there is literally something for everyone. 

A fantastic collection of inspiring, accessible poems that will delight children with their messages of courage and empowerment.

Former Children’s Laureate, Michael Rosen, gathers together the best children’s poetry from Agard to Zephaniah in this collection. From Grace Nichol’s poem about her Caribbean Gran visiting England to Rosen’s own hilarious account of his Dad’s intolerance to ​‘The Noise’, There are poems to entertain everyone. A brilliant book for dipping iin and out of and a great way of getting to know a diverse range of poets.

A fantastic collection of poems reflecting real life that will have readers coming back to it again and again. 

There is something for everyone in this superb poetry collection, which features a different poem for every day of the year. Splendidly diverse in subject, genre and style, this rich tapestry of verse is beautifully woven together by Chris Riddell’s characterful line drawings, which adorn every page.

This emotive poetry anthology from former Children’s Laureate, Michael Rosen, explores the plight of refugees today, Rosen’s childhood as part of a Jewish family in post-war London, his family’s’ memories of the war, and the fate of relatives who disappeared in Nazi Germany.

This wonderful collection of 50 poems celebrates different aspects of the natural world, from animals and plants to seasons and weather. Perfect for anyone with a love of the outdoors, each verse is accompanied by charming, colourful artwork. 

When he falls out with his best friend and then his little brother is rushed into hospital, Nate’s world is turned upside-down. This incredibly powerful novel, written entirely in free verse and accompanied by thoughtful illustrations, is an emotional read.

This lively collection of poems by two acclaimed poets takes readers on a meandering, thought-provoking and imaginative journey. Humorously illustrated with energetic black-and-white drawings.  

Everyone can be a poet! Packed with suggestions for themes and forms, with examples throughout, this is a friendly and accessible guide to having fun with words. Useful in a classroom, alongside the Poetry Prompt videos.

A funny and engaging poetry collection, perfect for reading aloud and for sharing.

This beautifully illustrated portrait of one year in nature is put together by poet Joseph Coelho, with each month assigned a relevant and resonant poem. It reassuringly shows that emotions come and go, like the seasons – and the bad times always pass.

A collection of 80 John Agard’s poems for younger children taken from eight previous books. 

This imaginative poetry collection comprises a selection of funny, energetic and thought-provoking poems from former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen, many of which draw on events from his own life.

Recounting the childhood of a child living in a city tower block, many of these poems are sad or angry and bristle with an edginess that young teens may find refreshing when compared to other poetry aimed at them.

Xiomara, a teenage girl of Dominican heritage, is starting to notice boys, but her strict Catholic parents have decided on no contact with the opposite sex until marriage. A verse novel that sings with the rhythms of slam poetry, this is powerful and affecting.