"Where the Sidewalk Ends, by Shel Silverstein, is so popular with children, librarians and teachers insist it is the book most frequently stolen from their schools and libraries," Jim Trelease notes in The Read-Aloud Handbook. Silverstein's collection, first published in 1974, certainly deserves its wild popularity, but many books of poetry for children have been issued this year. 2006! Let's jump up and cheer for these titles, too. Which is the best? Is there one your favorite kids like the most?
While we'd never advocate breaking the law, especially since going to the library and borrowing is so easy, which book of children's poetry would you like to, um, steal?
--Susan Thomsen, Chicken Spaghetti
Leave your nomination for this category in the comments below. Nominations close Nov. 20
Will this category encompass verse novels (Hugging the Rock, etc) as well as poetry collections? Let me know before I nom.
Posted by: Little Willow | October 18, 2006 at 08:27 PM
LW,
Anthologies are eligible. "Hugging the Rock" is eligible in the middle-grade novel category, not poetry. On the whole, verse novels will be treated as fiction.
Posted by: Susan | October 19, 2006 at 07:01 AM
Mites to Mastodons:A Book of Animal Poems Small and Large by Maxine Kumin, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski
Posted by: Kelly Fineman | October 19, 2006 at 07:06 AM
This is a HARD category... I love children's poetry but I love lots of old stuff. My nomination for this year's is Meow Ruff: A Story in Concrete Poetry.
Posted by: TadMack | October 19, 2006 at 11:43 AM
Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich
by Adam Rex
Hilarious book. Every poem included is a winner. Illustrated throughout in a wide variety of styles, each style superb as well.
Posted by: AaronZenz | October 19, 2006 at 01:45 PM
"Once Upon A Tomb: A Collection of Gravely Humorous Verses" by J. Patrick Lewis, illustrated by Simon Bartram.
Posted by: Laura | October 19, 2006 at 10:35 PM
Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow by Joyce Sidman
Posted by: Judy Freeman | October 20, 2006 at 08:41 AM
Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex
Posted by: Elizabeth Bird | October 20, 2006 at 09:34 AM
I, too, love FRANKENSTEIN MAKES A SANDWICH, and I haven't seen JAZZ yet, so I'm going to spend my nomination on . . . BEHOLD THE BOLD UMBRELLAPHANT, FLAMINGOS ON THE ROOF, or TOUR AMERICA . . . Okay, I'll go with the small press book: TOUR AMERICA by Diane Siebert, illustrated by Stephen Johnson, published by Chronicle.
Posted by: Jonathan Hunt | October 20, 2006 at 10:39 AM
Naomi Shihab Nye
A Maze Me: Poems for Girls
Posted by: Beverly Bixler | October 20, 2006 at 12:02 PM
"A Maze Me" was published in 2005. Only books from 2006 are eligible for an award. But do come back and post your 2006 favorite.
Posted by: Susan Thomsen (poetry administrator) | October 20, 2006 at 01:52 PM
I also tend to prefer the older stuff, plus there were several wonderful anthologies from 2005. This year for me is harder...
One of my sons just remembered "Rhyme & Punishment" by Brian Cleary.
Posted by: Becky | October 20, 2006 at 07:38 PM
Hey There, Stinkbug!
Leslie Bulion, illustrated by Leslie Evans
Posted by: Debbie | October 21, 2006 at 09:40 AM
A Bad Boy Can Be Good For A Girl - Tanya Lee Stone
Posted by: CH | October 21, 2006 at 03:30 PM
I guess I should have put Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich into this category. Doh.
Posted by: Holly | October 21, 2006 at 04:21 PM
Thanks, Susan. Then I don't know what to nominate yet. Hmm.
Posted by: Little Willow | October 21, 2006 at 06:52 PM
CH,
We are treating verse novels as fiction. "A Bad Boy Can Be Good for a Girl" can be considered in the Young Adult Novels category. Thanks!
Posted by: Susan Thomsen (poetry administrator) | October 22, 2006 at 03:02 PM
Yellow Elephant: A Bright Bestiary by Julie Larios, Illustrated by Julie Paschkis
Posted by: Pooja | October 23, 2006 at 11:17 AM
The Barefoot Book of Classic Poems
Compiled and Illustrated by Jackie Morris
Thank you!!
Posted by: Jeanne Nicholson | October 25, 2006 at 12:34 PM
I would like to nominate THE BRAID, an amazing verse novel by Helen Frost.
Posted by: Sylvia Vardell | October 25, 2006 at 01:18 PM
I would like to nominate a book called "The Friendly Four" by Eloise Greenfield, with illustrations by Jan Spivy Gilchrist.
Thanks.
Posted by: NT | October 26, 2006 at 05:45 PM
handsprings by douglas florian (I finally was able to track down a copy and it was well worth the hunt!)
Posted by: grace | October 28, 2006 at 05:51 PM
Meow Ruff: A Story in Concrete Poetry by Joyce Sidman and Michelle Berg.
Posted by: brettdl | October 29, 2006 at 07:11 AM
Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant by Jack Prelutsky because I'm a sucker for silly animal poems.
Posted by: Mindy | November 01, 2006 at 10:56 AM
Schoolyard Rhymes reminded me of elementary school. :)
Posted by: Kaitlin | November 01, 2006 at 01:06 PM
Kaitlin, thanks so much for stopping by. I wish we could consider "Schoolyard Rhymes," but it was published in 2005. I'd love to hear your suggestion from 2006, so do post again!
Posted by: Susan Thomsen | November 01, 2006 at 07:05 PM
I nominate "Handsprings" by Douglas Florian. There have been poems about springtime since practically the beginning of poetry, but Florian's book manages to make the whole concept as fresh and sprightly as the season it celebrates.
Posted by: Brooke | November 02, 2006 at 06:54 PM
"Blackbeard, the Pirate King," by J. Patrick Lewis (National Geographic).
Posted by: Susan | November 03, 2006 at 09:46 AM
And I'd like to nominate:
JAZZ, by Walter Dean Myers, illustrated by Christopher Myers.
Posted by: eisha | November 03, 2006 at 07:31 PM
Man in the Moon Fixer's Mask by JonArno Lawson. Very hard to define by age - but I think the 12& Up crowd will find much food for thought in this collection. (Both funny and serious poems - very well balanced.)
It came out from Boyds Mill this year but might have been published in Canada prior to that - I think it counts though from US date, right?
Posted by: Colleen | November 07, 2006 at 07:07 PM
Thanks, Colleen. Yes, it's eligible.
Posted by: Susan | November 08, 2006 at 07:25 AM
There is a Flower at the End of My Nose Smelling Me by Alice Walker, illustrated by Stphen Vitale. I'm nominating this in picture books too.
Posted by: web | November 08, 2006 at 06:36 PM
Thanks, Wendy. Thank you! "There Is a Flower" will be considered in poetry only, going by the Library of Congress's designation, i.e. it's an 811.
Posted by: Susan | November 09, 2006 at 07:09 AM
Sylvia, thank you for nominating "The Braid," by Helen Frost. We are treating verse novels as fiction, so I will move the nomination to YA Fiction.
Posted by: Susan | November 09, 2006 at 01:04 PM
Sylvia, thank you for nominating "The Braid," by Helen Frost. We are treating verse novels as fiction, so I will move the nomination to YA Fiction.
Posted by: Susan | November 09, 2006 at 01:05 PM
"Bee-Bim Bop!" by Linda Sue Park. (I think it fits here.)
Posted by: Edward Vielmetti | November 09, 2006 at 01:39 PM
"Bee-Bim Bop!" is a wonderful book, but it was published in 2005. We're considering 2006 titles for theses awards. I hope you'll return and post your 2006 favorite.
Posted by: Susan Thomsen (poetry administrator) | November 09, 2006 at 03:05 PM
I would like to nominate DEAR MR. ROSENWALD by Carole Boston Weatherford and published by Scholastic. It tells a story through poems, but I would consider it a book of poetry.
Posted by: Sylvia Vardell | November 09, 2006 at 05:23 PM
I would like to nominate a fabulous collection of sweet little poems for children of all ages... "I Heard It From Alice Zuchinni" by Juanita Havill
Posted by: aimee | November 09, 2006 at 11:22 PM
When the Horses Ride by: Children in the Times of War by Eloise Greenfield
Posted by: Olivia | November 11, 2006 at 12:48 PM
I'd like to nominate "Oh No Not Ghosts" By Richard Michelson and Illustrated by
Adam McCauley.
Read this book before Halloween, and it is just as funny now. Not sure if it should be under poetry or fiction picture books but this category seemed fitting.
Posted by: Derek | November 11, 2006 at 04:47 PM
Derek, thanks! Oh No Not Ghosts is a fun one. It should go in Fiction Picture Books, so I will move it.
Posted by: Susan Thomsen (poetry administrator) | November 11, 2006 at 06:39 PM
I'm awfully fond of "Wing Nuts: Screwy Haiku" by Paul Janecko and Patrick Lewis. Very clever, a solid mix of haiku and puns.
Posted by: d elzey | November 13, 2006 at 07:00 AM
I am nominating GOT GEOGRAPHY by Lee Bennett Hopkins. The poems are
creative and inspiring, with illustrations that are bright and bold.
Posted by: Emma | November 13, 2006 at 07:21 AM
I nominate CASTLES: OLD STONE POEMS by J. Patrick Lewis and Rebecca Kai Dotlich, illustrated by Dan Burr.
This enchanting book explores the history and lore of sixteen castles. The two poets blend style and voice to create a wondrous journey into the past. The rich, detailed art captures the allure or menace of each Medieval monument. Backmatter of facts and timeline add accurate information for teachers who want to use this as a supplemental text in history classes.
Posted by: Lola | November 13, 2006 at 01:55 PM
I'm moving this nomination from a Jennifer Christie over from Picture Books:
When the Horses Ride By by Eloise Greenfield, illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Thanks.
Posted by: Anne (Web mistress) | November 16, 2006 at 04:03 PM
Poetry Speaks to Children
Posted by: Sheila Ruth | November 18, 2006 at 07:22 AM
Nevermind. It was published in 2005. I should have checked BEFORE I nominated, not after. My bad. Sorry! I swear it seems like just a few months ago that it came out. Where does the time go?
Posted by: Sheila Ruth | November 18, 2006 at 07:38 AM
Sheila, I so know what you mean. Many of the books I thought of nominating were from 2005. Hello, where did that year go?
Posted by: Susan Thomsen | November 18, 2006 at 07:49 AM
FRANKENSTEIN MAKES A SANDWICH, which I just read, is the cleverest poetry collection I've read in a while. I was laughing out loud. It's got my vote.
Posted by: Laura Salas | November 19, 2006 at 06:24 AM