Poetry Book Society

It could be the most important book that you ever give someone, the book that introduces him or her to an entirely new world of words, rhyme and feeling. It may be noisy, it may be scurrilous, it may be silly, but if it is enjoyed it might just lead to a love of words and poetry that endures throughout a life. What better gift is there than that?


Michael Rosen's Book of Very Silly Poems, by Michael Rosen and Shoo Rayner, Puffin, (ISBN 9780140371376), Paperback, £6.99

Are you pink and green? Are you totally obscene? Can you pick your nose? With your stubby little toes? Let a small child's imagination run riot and laughter fill his or her belly as they explore traditional poems, rhymes with a twist, and subversive playground favourites in this playful treasure chest of verse.


Michael Rosen's A-Z: The best children's poetry from Agard to Zephaniah, ed. Michael Rosen, Puffin, (ISBN 9780141324500), Paperback, £7.99

A stunning A to Z anthology of the very best in children's poetry, compiled by the former Children's Laureate, Michael Rosen. Includes poems by John Agard, James Berry, Alan Brownjohn, Paul Cookson, Carol Ann Duffy and many others.


The Puffin Book of Fantastic First Poems, ed. June Crebbin, Puffin, (ISBN 9780141308982), Paperback, £9.99

A magical celebration of poetry for the very young, with a wide-ranging selection from Robert Louis Stevenson and Walter de la Mare to Roger McGough and Michael Rosen. The book is usefully split into themes such as mealtimes, animals, family and bedtime.


Twinkle, Twinkle, Chocolate Bar, by John Foster, Oxford University Press, (ISBN 9780192755810), Paperback, £9.99

This collection of poems for the very young explores themes such as favourite food, families, toys, weather and magic in an entertaining mix of cautionary verse, nonsense rhymes, lullabies, lyrical poems and comic verse. Amongst the many marvelous poets featured are Wendy Cope, Charles Causley, Valerie Bloom, Brian Moses, Spike Milligan and Jack Prelutsky.


What I Like!: Poems for the Very Young, Gervase Phinn, Jane Eccles, Child's Play International, (ISBN 9781904550129), Paperback, £5.99

A hugely entertaining introduction to poetry for the very young. It contains poems about everything that matters to children - animals, family food and so on, and there are some very funny jokes. Humorous illustrations by Jane Eccles help to make this a delightful gift for any young child.


Poems for Young Children, ed. Belinda Gallagher, Miles Kelly, (ISBN 9781848103214), Paperback, £14.99

A beautifully illustrated collection of more than 300 traditional poems and rhymes. Poets featured include such favourites as Robert Louis Stevenson, Edward Lear, Christina Rosetti and Lewis Carroll.


Here's a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry, ed. Jane Yollen, Andrew Fusek Peters, Walker, (ISBN 9781406327113), Paperback, £9.99

A gloriously illustrated first book of poetry that collects together the work of a wide range of well-known and much-loved poets.


My First Oxford Book of Poems, ed. John Foster, Oxford University Press, (ISBN 9780192763396), Paperback, £8.99

A collection of poems by writers ranging from Robert Louis Stevenson to Spike Milligan. Wonderful for reading aloud together and a magical and gorgeously illustrated introduction to rhyme and poetry.


Noisy Poems, by Jill Bennett, Oxford University Press, (ISBN 978-0192763259), Paperback, £4.99

A charming collection, that includes poems by Spike Milligan, Jack Prelutsky, Eve Merriam and Eleanor Farjeon, amongst others, and is packed with noises and rhymes that children will love to listen to and repeat. Illustrated in colour throughout by award-winning artist Nick Sharratt.


Wriggle and Roar!: Rhymes to Join in With, by Julia Donaldson, Macmillan, (ISBN 9781405021661), Paperback, £5.99

A book filled with things for a bored child to do. There are rhymes to make children wriggle and giggle, shrug and sigh, snap like a crocodile and slither like a snake. Julia Donaldson's verse leaps off the page and Nick Sharratt's snazzy illustrations add to the fun.