Child Poetry

Beowulf the Warrior is an outstanding modern version of the oldest epic in the English language. Ian Serraillier has retold in verse the story of the hero Beowulf and his three memorable exploits - first, his rescuing of Hrothgar the Dane from the ravages of monstrous Grendel; next, his victory over Grendel's strange and horrible mother; and finally, in Beowulf's old age, his saving of his own people, the Geats, from the horrors of a dragon at the cost of his life. Beowulf's heroism and noble heart communicate to any modern listener.

Hush, Little Bunny is a heartwarming, lyrical love letter from a papa bunny to his little one - from David Ezra Stein, Caldecott Honor-winning creator of Interrupting Chicken and Leaves. "Hush Little Baby" is a lullaby that parents have sung to their children for generations. Now Caldecott Honor winner David Ezra Stein has reimagined the classic featuring an irresistible papa bunny and his little one.

Last week, I saw a mermaid. It's not something I'd pretend! I'd really like to catch her, so she could be my friend. But how to catch a mermaid? You don't learn this in school. We'll need to build a gentle trap and start near the tide pool. Many claim to have caught a mermaid, but can you? The newest title in the New York Times best-selling How to Catch series will have children and parents excited to see if these characters can actually pull off catching a mermaid!

Down in the jungle where nobody goes, there is something very exciting going on! If you are very quiet, you will see lots of very busy animals. But what they are getting ready for? Then join in the party spirit by singing along with this well-loved song, and imitating the animals’ actions as you do!

Inspired by her own pregnancy and filled with humor, "I Grew with You" vividly illustrates the growing bond between mother and child. Twelve beautiful, month-by-month scenes capture the beauty of childbearing and the miracle of life - from conception to baby's first day at home. Molitor helps show children that, during pregnancy, not only does the baby grow, but the mother grows as well - emotionally, spiritually, and of course, physically.

This program is read by Bradley Whitford, brother of the author and best known for his roles in The West Wing, The Handmaid's Tale, and Get Out. With its playful rhymed verse, this bedtime favorite from author Ann Whitford Paul, If Animals Kissed Good Night, is sure to delight time and again...

A selection of your child’s favorite nursery rhymes, brought to life depicting children of all races!

With US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo’s transcendent verse, For a Girl Becoming acts as a blessing and a harbinger for a young girl’s life—and reminds those of us who still stand at the door of becoming that it is our relationships with nature and with each other that carry us through it.

Some of the most delightful poems ever written for children, brought evocatively to life in this wonderful new audio edition. Ted Hughes wrote an extraordinary body of work for children. This is a selection which includes original recordings made by the author himself as well as new readings by Juliet Stevenson and Michael Morpurgo.

The voice of the soul can be heard through poetry, helping us to look at the world in a new and different way. Sometimes it brings to light details we may never have noticed before. It is a way to express feelings and emotions about a person, image, or event. Images, feelings, ideas; all of these could be described in a myriad of ways using poetry techniques, bringing to life the expressions in an intense, succinct and yet vivid manner.

In this YA novel in verse from bestselling authors Kwame Alexander and Mary Rand Hess (Solo), which Kirkus called “lively, moving, and heartfelt” in a starred review, Noah and Walt just want to leave their geek days behind and find “cool,” but in the process discover a lot about first...

Popular rhymes make this book a must for every child. Suitable for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and the nursery or classroom.

The Light Inside Me is a gentle, rhyming journey that guides children inward to discover their own glow — the quiet, steady light that lives beneath their feet, flows through their body, and shines from their heart. Whether a child is feeling joyful, unsure, overwhelmed, or simply ready to settle into sleep, this story offers a soft path back to safety and self. It reminds young listeners that even in the dark, their light is always there — warm, true, and uniquely theirs.

The Halloween Lullaby was originally published in the NoHo Valley News in 1997 and in the Los Angeles club magazine 4- Front. It is also published in the anthology Speculative Poets of Texas 2015. Archived in the UCLA Library of Special Collections.

Listen and relive exciting tales from Highlights, now on audio! Hear about a child who helps a butterfly return to where it belongs and the beauty of the summer sky, along with other poems. Stories include: Animal Crackers by Heidi Bee Roemer, Barnyard Breakfast by Melanie Rook Welfing, Camping Out with Honey by Gale Sypher Jacob, Dancing the Blues Away by Eileen Spinelli, Fourth of July by Yuko Green, and more.

The whole earth is a symphony to God. The universe echoes his glory, and believers harmonize with songs of adoration. In the rhyming book Pippa and the Singing Tree, singer and hymn writer Kristyn Getty teaches children how they can answer Scripture's call to worship. Playing outside one chilly autumn day, Pippa is surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. The great trees, robins, and icy winds—depicted in charming lyrical prose—all witness to God's majesty. Moved by the beauty around her, Pippa lifts her voice, adding her own song to the chorus.

Those two bad men, Lanky Len and Hefty Hugh, are back! They may be in the city instead of the farm, but they haven't changed their thieving ways. In fact, they're even more ambitious. They're planning to steal a monkey from the zoo and use it to pinch the Queen's crown. It's a pity for them that a certain crime-busting ladybird is holidaying in the very same city...and she's got a good idea that will ensure the dastardly pair won't get away with it!

Jack B. Ninja! Jack, be quick! Jack, jump over the bamboo stick! Secret mission starts tonight. Hide in shadow, out of sight. In this imaginative ninja fantasy inspired by the classic nursery rhyme "Jack Be Nimble", cheer on Jack as he sneaks over castle walls, swims through hidden tunnels, and uncovers a secret treasure - all while avoiding detection. But when Jack unwittingly springs a trap in the middle of his mission, will he be able to use his ninja skills to escape the bandits and make it back home?

On the night of October 6, 1998, a gay 21-year-old University of Wyoming student named Matthew Shepard was lured from a bar by two young men, then savagely beaten, tied to a fence on the outskirts of Laramie, and left to die. Five days later, Lesléa Newman arrived on campus to give the keynote speech for the University of Wyoming’s Gay Awareness Week. October Mourning is Lesléa Newman’s deeply personal response to the events of that tragic day and its brutal aftermath.

Everyone's getting the bus but where are they going?