Child Poetry

Twelve-year-old Isabel is the new kid in her San Francisco middle school. It’s the first time in many years that she’ll be living with her mother again. Mama's job in the US allowed Isabel and her grandparents to live more comfortably in the Philippines, but now Isabel doesn't really know her own mother anymore. Making new friends in a new city, a new country, is hard, but joining the gardening and cooking club at school means Isabel will begin to find her way, and maybe she too, will begin to bloom.

15-year-old Dylan has always felt like an outsider in his small town. Isolated when he was younger as the result of his unpredictable, now absent mother and feeling like a disappointment to his grandfather who has stepped in to raise him, Dylan finds relief in the woods behind his grandfather's auto shop. Amidst the cool quiet of the trees, Dylan thrives on bird watching and writing poetry. But one afternoon after spotting an injured hawk, Dylan finds himself pushing out of his comfort zone to track down help for the bird—and ends up rescuing a part of himself in the process.

The reflections presented here are the offspring of the author's own silence and slow time in caves, forest monasteries, and countless retreats. Written with the wisdom, humility, and humor of one who has taken the time to examine one's self and the nature of the human condition, this new collection of story-poems regards concerns of the experienced meditator.

In a new city, at a new school, 12-year-old Emmy has never felt more out of tune. Things start to look up when she takes her first coding class, unexpectedly connecting with the material - and Abigail, a new friend - through a shared language: music. But when Emmy gets bad news about their computer teacher, and finds out Abigail isn't being entirely honest about their friendship, she feels like her new life is screeching to a halt. Despite these obstacles, Emmy is determined to prove that, for the first time ever, she isn't a wrong note, but a musician in the world's symphony.

Gamrie Tickle grew up in Aletheia, the city of Bible Truth, in the middle of the dangerous land of Err. The people of Err want to change, assault, and destroy Aletheia and so the people of Aletheia, who trust in the Bible, must learn to defend and fight for truth. Gamrie is one of them. Complicating the matter is that quite often, things go badly for Gamrie Tickle. He's just one of those people to whom interesting and exciting things always happen. If there's a fantastic adventure, terrible mishap, or deadly danger lurking around the corner, Gamrie will walk right into it.

Join the enchanting journey of mythical creatures as they overcome obstacles and discover the true meaning of friendship and courage in Poetry for Kids. Written in verse, this collection of poems takes you deep into a magical forest where unicorns, dragons, and other fantastic creatures come to life. Each poem tells a unique and heartwarming story that will delight children and inspire them to believe in the power of imagination and the beauty of nature.

It's 1969, and the Apollo 11 mission is getting ready to go to the moon. But for half-black, half-Japanese Mimi, moving to a predominantly white Vermont town is enough to make her feel alien. Suddenly, Mimi's appearance is all anyone notices. She struggles to fit in with her classmates, even as she fights for her right to stand out. This historical middle-grade novel is told in poems from Mimi's perspective over the course of one year in her new town, and shows listeners that positive change can start with just one person speaking up.

Gabriel's life is about to change. He lives in a world where change never happens. In Harmony, a tyrannical mayor dictates everyone's lives without opposition. Gabriel makes a plan to change the routine of such a boring, regimented life. In his quest, he never expected to find himself in an unfamiliar place. And, unfortunately for him, his past is hot on his trail.

Keeping her brother, Benji, warm, fed, and away from their father is Louisa's only goal in life. When the state steps in and places them in separate foster homes, her world falls apart. Louisa, in crisis, discovers slam poetry. The spoken word performances reveal people sharing pieces of themselves on stage for the world to hear. The transparency she sees frightens her but also holds the key to her future...if she's brave enough to give her story a voice.

Senior Paul Wagoner walks into his school with a stolen gun, threatens his girlfriend, Emily Beam, and then takes his own life. Soon after, angry and guilt-ridden Emily is sent to a boarding school in Amherst, Massachusetts, where two quirky fellow students and the spirit of Emily Dickinson offer helping hands. But it is up to Emily Beam to heal her own damaged self, to find the good behind the bad, hope inside the despair, and springtime under the snow.

"My name is Colette. This book is about me. Who am I? To be perfectly honest, I'm not exactly sure who I am. I guess you could say I'm the 15-year-old daughter of an annoyingly famous movie star. Or maybe I'm the 18-year-old daughter of a famous movie star's stand-in. Or maybe I'm the thousand-year-old daughter of a vampire.... Having trouble guessing which one of these stories is true? Join the club. My friends have a joke about me: 'How can you tell if Colette is lying? Her mouth is open.'"

Henry has been deaf from an early age. He's intelligent and aware of language, but by age six, he has decided it's not safe to speak to strangers. When the time comes for him to start school, he is labeled "unteachable." Because his family has very little money, his parents and older sister, Molly, feel powerless to help him. Henry's sent to Riverview, a bleak institution where he is misunderstood, underestimated, and harshly treated. Victor, a conscientious objector to World War II, is part of a Civilian Public Service program and arrives at Riverview to serve as an attendant in 1942.

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. It features sound design and special effects to enhance your listening enjoyment. Listen out for the neighs of horses and the chirps of birds. A...

How can laughter be more powerful than a sword? Why do days have names but not weeks? And do pigeons ever get a craving for cake? Two friends, esteemed poets John Agard and JonArno Lawson, take us on an inspiring, hilarious, and wondrous journey through poetry, asking questions and attempting answers as they discover that life really is forever and ever an adventure. Comprising more than seventy-five poems written in a call-and-response format, with each poem having a reply from the other poet, Wise Up! Wise Down! is sure to inspire all listeners to find humor in every day.

Niddlety Nod is a collection of poems and short stories written by Laura E. Richardson. These sweet stories and nonsensical poems are fun for all ages and are sure to bring a smile to your face.

Play. Experiment. Innovate. Millbrook Press publishes informational titles for grades K–5. These fact-filled nonfiction books draw listeners in with engaging writing, fresh perspectives, unusual points of view, and a good dose of humor.

This collection of 64 short poems has become a classic work of children’s literature. The poems are written from the point of view of a child. The author brilliantly recaptures the magical world of childhood innocence, in which the most mundane of experiences can become a source of wonder.

When twelve-year-old Estie is expelled from school, she's sent to stay with her aunt in Scotland over the summer. Even though Estie knows what she did was right. Even though nobody, not even her mum, asked to hear her side of the story. Estie's determined to keep her barriers up and stick to herself until the holidays are over. But when she comes across an intricately folded paper bird with a secret message written inside - a message from someone desperate to tell their own unbelieved story - a chord is struck, and Estie can't help but follow the clues to the next piece of artwork.

What is this book? Six hundred and sixty six words of pure Crystal meth praising bliss.

When I am grown to man’s estate. I shall be very proud and great. And tell the other girls and boys. Not to meddle with my toys. Thus reads the whimsical, “Looking Forward,” of this delightful collection. From the sweetness of “Land of Nod,” to the imaginative dreams of “Pirate Story” and “Travels,” Robert Louis Stevenson’s beloved poems celebrate childhood in all its simplicity and joy.