“Poetry is a rhythmical piece of writing that leaves the reader feeling that life is a little richer than before, a little more full of wonder, beauty, or just plain delight.” - Aileen Fisher

Poet Aileen Fisher was the second person to receive the Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children presented by the National Council of Teachers of English to a living American poet in recognition of their work. The award was first given in 1977. But before then and certainly ever since, teachers have recognized that poetry is a marvelous form of literature to share with new readers, reluctant readers, budding writers, and, well – everyone! Like songs, poetry is meant to be shared aloud. The rhyme, rhythm and repetition that are characteristic of poetry help children hear the different sounds of language.

“Research and experience tell us that children are most likely to be successful in reading and writing a word if they’ve had repeated experiences with hearing and saying the individual sounds in the word,” notes teacher Babs Hajdusiewicz, author of Phonics through Poetry. Poetry is an invitation to play with language, to relish the different sounds and meanings words make, and to pause and reflect on how something looks or sounds or feels. Invite your child to experience the joy of poetry and its descriptive power. You can find a wide variety of award winning poets and notable collections of poetry for children in the Library.

And join us for Storyhour Extravaganza this month, when we celebrate some of the first poems a child learns: Mother Goose rhymes. While you’re in the library you might like to listen to some Mother Goose rhymes on the iPad in the Children’s Department. (The Mother Goose on the Loose app, which can be downloaded for free through iTunes, also lets you play with Mother Goose characters and tell your own stories.) You can also pick up one of our handy pre-printed poems for your pocket - and as poet Eloise Greenfield recommends: “Give children words to love, to grow on.”

HiKoo