poetry

True Stories of the Poets

April 1, 2017 | strande

Learn about real life poets and their work. The stories included below are roughly listed by increasing depth and complexity. While these books are located in the Children's Department, there is a strong possibility that they may appeal to a wider audience.

Maya Angelou by Lisbeth Kaiser

Offers an illustrated telling of the life of Maya Angelou that focuses on how she overcame childhood trauma and realized her dream and became one of the world's most beloved writers and speakers.

Enormous smallness : a story of E.E. Cummings by Matthew Burgess

Presents the life and work of the twentieth-century American writer, focusing on his fascination with words from a young age and highlighting his poetry's inspirational properties.

Illustrated Poems

April 1, 2017 | strande

Many books that hold poetry live on the nonfiction shelves between J808.81—J811 and J821, but don't forget that poems live all over the library. Below are a few illustrated poems that require a little more exploration to find. While all are located within the Children's Department, they may have a wider appeal. Click on each title for location and availability information.

 

Among a thousand fireflies by Helen Frost

Simple poetic language and close-up photographs invite readers to join two fireflies as they try to find each other among the many flashing firefly lights on a summer evening.

The land of nod by Robert Louis Stevenson

A young boy explores the magical dreamworld he goes to when he falls asleep.

Poetry Writing Resources

April 1, 2017 | strande

Explore our resources for instruction and inspiration for your poetry writing. More advanced titles can be found at the bottom of the list.

Picture yourself writing poetry : using photos to inspire writing by Laura Purdie Salas

Photographs and text introduce techniques and tips for writing poetry inspired by pictures and images, discussing word choices, and examining layout, metaphores, and related topics.

Barron's junior rhyming dictionary by John Foster

Poetry in Graphic Novels

April 1, 2017 | strande

From short rhymes to epic poems, we have a few graphic novels that feature a variety of poetry and poetic adaptations.

Nursery rhyme comics : [50 timeless rhymes from 50 celebrated cartoonists]

Presents fifty traditional nursery rhymes in comic book format, with illustrations by well-known cartoonists.

Sita's Ramayana by Samhita Arni

A graphic novel adaptation of the ancient Indian legend in which Rama, an incarnation of the god Vishnu, forces his wife Sita to undergo an ordeal by fire to prove she is pure after she is abducted by Ravanna.

Novels in Verse

April 1, 2017 | strande

Below you will find a suggestions of crossover titles. Stories that are told in verse: not rhyming poems and not dense prose, these books live in their own category. Click on each title for description and availability.

Another day as Emily by Eileen Spinelli

Susie is jealous when her brother is deemed a town hero, so she finds solace in the poetry and reclusive lifestyle of Emily Dickinson.

Little cat's luck by Marion Dane Bauer
Also available in: e-book

A little cat named Patches manages to push out a window screen and leave her house, chasing a falling leaf, and sets out to find a special place to call her own.

Celebrate Poetry Month

March 21, 2017 | strande
NPM Poster

Join us to celebrate National Poetry Month and pick up an activity sheet at one of our reference desks during the month of April. It's a great way to reacquaint yourself with favorite poets or introduce yourself to something new. Don't limit yourself to just April, though. Use our poetry suggestions below to enjoy poetry all year long.

Most poetry books can be found in the nonfiction shelves in the 800s - in the Children's, Teen, or Adult Collection. Other suggestions for exploring poetry are included below. 

 

 

Celebrating 400 Years of Shakespeare

April 23, 2016 | lovetta

Today marks the 400th Anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. The bard has influenced literature and culture for centuries - celebrate with one of these Shakespearean works!

Shakespeare [large print]: the world as stage by Bill Bryson

William Shakespeare, the most celebrated poet in the English language, left behind nearly a million words of text, but his biography has long been a thicket of wild supposition arranged around scant facts. With a steady hand and his trademark wit, Bill Bryson sorts through this colorful muddle to reveal the man himself. 

Romeo + Juliet [videodisc]

Baz Luhrmann's rendition of the classic story of star-crossed lovers, set in a futuristic urban Verona Beach.

Suggested Poetry by Grade Level

January 26, 2016 | ms.amelia

 

Here's some titles we recommend
The list is quite diverse
With picture books and collections
Haikus and novels in verse.

 

Take a look at the list and see
If there's anything you'd like to read.
It can be serious or silly
We've got something for you, guaranteed!

 

NOTE: Children read at different levels at different times in their lives. It is up to the child and their parent to determine which of these suggestions are appropriate for them.

Kindergarten

Llama, llama red pajama by Anna Dewdney

At bedtime, a little llama worries after his mother puts him to bed and goes downstairs.

Poetry Novels for Middle-Grade Readers

June 2, 2015 | ms.amelia

When thinking of books of poetry, most people think of Shel Silverstein, Clement Clarke Moore's The Night Before Christmas, or nursery rhymes. But there's a wealth of other options. Here are some novel length books written in free verse, which is non-rhyming and does not have a regular meter or flow.

This is just a sampling, with more novels in verse available through our catalog.

The crossover by Kwame Alexander

Heartbeat by Sharon Creech

Inside out & back again by Thanhha Lai

National Poetry Month

April 1, 2014 | chitra rout

Poetry can be celebrated the year-round, but especially so in April. Established in April 1996, National Poetry Month brings together poets and booksellers, literary organizations and publishers to celebrate the importance of poetry and its vital place in American culture. We at the Canton Public Library would like to participate by showcasing our many poetry resources in this Special Collection.

Timeless Poetry Collections

The best-loved poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis by selected and introduced by Caroline Kennedy — Jaccqueline's daughter offers a selection of the former First Lady's favorite poems, plus a few of her mother's own verses.

The hell with love: poems to mend a broken heart by edited by Mary D. Esselman and Elizabeth Ash Velez — This collection of love poems is for anyone who has ever suffered the pain of breaking up and everyone who believes in the unique power of poetry to console and transform.

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