Poems and Rhymes on Cassette and Digital

Here is a sampling of the many books of poems and rhymes from the talking book and braille collection. To order any of these titles, contact your Talking Book Center by phone, mail, or email or use our online catalog.

RC 22796
ONE FISH, TWO FISH, RED FISH, BLUE FISH by Dr. Seuss
Nonsense verses for beginning readers. For preschool-grade 2.

RC 41245
THE SWEET AND SOUR ANIMAL BOOK by Langston Hughes
A book of poems about animals whose names start with every letter of the alphabet except x. For preschool-grade 2.

RC 44226
ANIMAL CRACKERS: A DELECTABLE COLLECTION OF PICTURES, POEMS, AND LULLABIES FOR THE VERY YOUNG by Jane Dyer
Collection of verse includes Mother Goose rhymes and contemporary poems about children, animals, the seasons, and things to eat. For preschool-grade 2.

RC 54637
PLAYTIME RHYMES FOR LITTLE PEOPLE by Clare Beaton
Collection of counting rhymes and well-loved childhood verses. Directions for motions accompany each selection. Includes "Here Are the Lady's Knives and Forks"; "Incy Wincy Spider"; "One Potato, Two Potato"; "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe"; and "I'm a Little Teapot." For preschool-grade 2.

RC 64738, DB 64738
HERE'S A LITTLE POEM: A VERY FIRST BOOK OF POETRY by Jane Yolen
More than sixty poems describing children's activities at home and outdoors, from sunup to bedtime. Poets include Hilaire Belloc, Margaret Wise Brown, Nikki Grimes, A.A. Milne, and others from various parts of the English-speaking world. For preschool-grade 2.

RC 39647
NEVER TAKE A PIG TO LUNCH: AND OTHER POEMS ABOUT THE FUN OF EATING selected by Nadine Bernard Westcott
A collection of nearly sixty humorous poems about food and eating. There are poems about school lunches, picnics, and manners and about baloney, a sliver of liver, oodles of noodles, and fudge. For grades K-3 and older readers.

RC 40134
BROWN HONEY IN BROOMWHEAT TEA: POEMS by Joyce Carol Thomas
A dozen poems evoking visions of an African American home that knows love, sadness, hard times, joy, pain, pride, fear, togetherness, separation, and hope. The verses converge to create an image of tea slowly brewing, a symbol of the author's family. For grades K-3.

RC 48398
BISCUITS IN THE CUPBOARD by Barbara Nichol
Collection of poems and rhymes introducing a group of dogs and their canine wishes. Some love to romp in the grass or to jump up and down on the bed; others just want something to eat. A few beg for "no fleas, please." For grades K-3.

RC 51545
THE COMPLETE POEMS OF WINNIE-THE-POOH by A. A. Milne
Originally written to entertain the author's son, Christopher Robin, some of the verses are about the boy's stuffed animals. This volume contains both the first collection, When We Were Very Young, published in 1924, and the second, Now We Are Six, published in 1927. For grades K-3.

RC 58441, DB 58441
WHERE FISH GO IN WINTER AND OTHER GREAT MYSTERIES by Amy Goldman Koss
A collection of poems that answer such simple science-related questions as "Where do fish go in winter?" "Why does popcorn pop?" and "How do birds fly?" Beginning reader. For grades K-3.

RC 66178, DB 66178
NIBBLE, NIBBLE: POEMS FOR CHILDREN by Margaret Wise Brown
Twenty-five nature poems about bugs, fish, bunnies, crows, and the seasons. For grades K-3.

RC 35732
WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS: THE POEMS OF SHEL SILVERSTEIN by Shel Silverstein
A collection of 127 madcap poems. Subjects include acrobats, Band-Aids, dancing pants, and sleeping sardines. For grades 2-4 and older readers.

RC 43026
A CARIBBEAN DOZEN: POEMS FROM CARIBBEAN POETS edited by John Agard and Grace Nichols
Collection of more than fifty poems from a "Caribbean dozen" of thirteen poets. The verses cover local themes such as market day, the coming of a hurricane, the shining sun, and a cat that can fly. Each poet offers a glimpse into a tropical childhood, and a brief biography is included for each. For grades 2-4.

RC 43151
DANCE WITH ME by Barbara Juster Esbensen
Poems that celebrate the dance-like aspects of the wind, gardening, babies, lightning, basketball, and more. National Council of Teachers of English Award. For grades 2-4.

RC 50086
THE TWENTIETH CENTURY CHILDREN'S POETRY TREASURY selected by Jack Prelutsky
Anthology of 211 poems by 137 poets, including Gwendolyn Brooks, John Ciardi, e.e. cummings, Roald Dahl, Robert Frost, Nikki Grimes, Russell Hoban, Langston Hughes, Karla Kushin, Myra Cohn Livingston, A.A. Milne, Ogden Nash, Carl Sandburg, Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, and Judith Viorst. For grades 2-4 and older readers.

RC 47161
BONE POEMS by Jeff Moss
Presents facts and fantasies about dinosaurs and prehistoric times, mostly in poems but also in two short stories and a math quiz. Moss even provides "A (Mostly) Dinosaur Alphabet." For grades 3-6.

RC 58025, DB 58025
EVERY DAY'S A HOLIDAY: AMUSING RHYMES FOR HAPPY TIMES by Dean R. Koontz
Collection of poems celebrating holidays ranging from real ones like Easter through imaginary ones like Gravity Day and international ones like Cinco de Mayo to not-quite holidays like snow days. For grades 3-6.

RC 63916, DB 63916
BRONZEVILLE BOYS AND GIRLS by Gwendolyn Brooks
In these thirty-four poems, Pulitzer Prize winner Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000) celebrates childhood in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago. Poem topics range from Mexie and Bridie's tiny tea party to Andre's dream parents, Beulah at church, Michael's fear of a storm, and Vern's snuggly pup. For grades 3-6.

RC 60093, DB 60093
DAYS TO CELEBRATE: A FULL YEAR OF POETRY, PEOPLE, HOLIDAYS, HISTORY, FASCINATING FACTS, AND MORE by Lee Bennett Hopkins
A calendar lists each month's birthdays--of people, inventions, or historical events. Facts and poems for specific dates follow. For example, November 10, 1903, cited for the invention of the windshield wiper, is accompanied by Rebecca Kai Dotlich's poem "Windshield Wipers." For grades 4-7.

RC 61689, DB 61689
ONCE UPON A POEM: FAVORITE POEMS THAT TELL STORIES foreword by Kevin Crossley-Holland
Fifteen story-poems including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "Paul Revere's Ride," Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky," Alfred Noyes's "The Highwayman," Roald Dahl's "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," and Robert Service's "The Cremation of Sam McGee." Features biographical notes on the poets and the writers who introduce them. For grades 4-7 and older readers.

RC 64895, DB 64895
ANIMAL POEMS by Valerie Worth
Free verse about twenty-three wildlife creatures--from wasps, cockroaches, hummingbirds, and squirrels, to snakes, snails, whales, and gorillas. "Elephant" conveys the plight of the circus elephant while praising its natural strength. "Star-Nosed Moles" describes a mole's appearance and favorite foods, including "succulent insect-nuggets." For grades 4-7.

RC 45951
EARTH ALWAYS ENDURES: NATIVE AMERICAN POEMS selected by Neil Philip
A collection of sixty poems from various Native American groups. Concise, eloquent phrases convey a respect for nature and for human qualities. Many reveal the spiritual aspects of tribal life. For grades 5-8 and older readers.

RC 48399, DB 48399
I, TOO, SING AMERICA: THREE CENTURIES OF AFRICAN AMERICAN POETRY compiled by Catherine Clinton
Thirty-five selections by twenty-five prominent poets spanning American history from colonial days through modern times. A brief biography and explanatory notes precede each work. For grades 5-8 and older readers.

RC 60202, DB 60202
HAIKU: ASIAN ARTS AND CRAFTS FOR CREATIVE KIDS by Patricia Donegan
Introduces the form of Japanese poetry known as haiku, explores the seven keys to writing it, and provides instructions for projects including making a book. For grades 5-8 and older readers.

RC 65133, DB 65133
COLLECTED POEMS FOR CHILDREN by Ted Hughes
Some two hundred fifty poems about animals and nature from previously published volumes by British poet laureate Ted Hughes (1930-1998). Verses range from straightforward to complex. Includes selections from The Mermaid's Purse, The Cat and the Cuckoo, and Season Songs. For grades 5-8 and older readers.

RC 48737, DB 48737
CLASSIC POETRY: AN ILLUSTRATED COLLECTION selected by Michael Rosen
A selection of eighty-two poems by a broad range of writers from William Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, and Emily Dickinson to Lewis Carroll, Robert Frost, and Langston Hughes. Includes biographical background on each poet. For grades 6-9 and older readers.

RC 55344, DB 55344
NINETEEN VARIETIES OF GAZELLE: POEMS OF THE MIDDLE EAST by Naomi Shihab Nye
Sixty poems reflect Nye's affection for the Middle East and her feelings as an Arab American who fervently wishes for peace. The collection was prompted as solace for the September 11, 2001, tragedies. For grades 6-9.

RC 46930
LATINO VOICES edited by Frances. R. Aparicio
Hispanic Americans express their feelings about home, family, religion, work, and their identity in poems, short biographical pieces, and selections from novels. For junior and senior high readers.

RC 57865, DB 57865
HOUR OF FREEDOM: AMERICAN HISTORY IN POETRY by Milton Meltzer
An anthology of popular poems, hymns, and speeches celebrating the United States from colonial times to the twentieth century. Includes favorites by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Carl Sandburg, Walt Whitman, and others. For junior and senior high readers.

RC 61296, DB 61296
RED HOT SALSA: BILINGUAL POEMS ON BEING YOUNG AND LATINO IN THE UNITED STATES by Lori Marie Carlson
Poems in English, Spanish, or a blend of both speak to themes of identity, neighborhoods, love, family, memories, and victory. Contains an introduction by Oscar Hijuelos, a glossary of selected Spanish terms, and biographical notes on the poets. In English and Spanish. For junior and senior high readers.

RC 46502, DB 46502
LOVE POEMS by Nikki Giovanni
Fifty-four poems by an award-winning African American writer celebrating love in its many manifestations: for a lover, for a friend, for a member of the family, in the abstract, and in the concrete. Grouped in three sections: "I Hope It's Love," "And Yeah...These Are Love Poems" and "I Take Master Card (Charge Your Love to Me)." For senior high and older readers.

RC 60429, DB 60429
ISN'T IT ROMANTIC: ONE HUNDRED LOVE POEMS BY YOUNGER AMERICAN POETS by Brett Fletcher Lauer and Aimee Kelley
Poets born after 1960 express themselves in short poems and prose poems about love, love from afar, love spurned, love resumed, lust, passion, romance, and personal and universal themes. Titles run from "Bicycle Poem" to "Me in Paradise" and "Vertigo." Some strong language. For senior high and older readers.

RC 65015, DB 65015
ONE HUNDRED ESSENTIAL MODERN POEMS by Joseph Parisi
Anthology arranged chronologically by the poets' dates of birth. Biographical sketches provide historical background and brief commentary. Includes selections from William Butler Yeats, Robert Frost, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Ogden Nash, Dylan Thomas, Allen Ginsberg, Seamus Heaney, and Rita Dove. For senior high and older readers.

Poems and Rhymes in Braille

BR 13073
ONE FISH, TWO FISH, RED FISH, BLUE FISH by Dr. Seuss
Nonsense verses for beginning readers. For preschool-grade 2.

BR 16011
IN THE LAND OF WORDS: NEW AND SELECTED POEMS by Eloise Greenfield
Introduction to poetry for preschoolers and beginning readers. Among twenty-one poems are "New Baby Poem," "Making Friends," and "Nathaniel's Rap." PRINT/BRAILLE. For preschool-grade 2 and older readers.

BR 16695
MARY ENGELBREIT'S MOTHER GOOSE: ONE HUNDRED BEST-LOVED VERSES by Mary Engelbreit
Presents traditional nursery rhymes passed down through generations. Includes "Thirty days hath September..." and "Monday's child," which teach lessons; "Jack and Jill" and "Humpty Dumpty," which show disasters; and "There was a little girl...," "Old King Cole," and "Bobby Shafto," which portray typical people. For preschool-grade 2.

BR 17027
ANIMAL FRIENDS: A COLLECTION OF POEMS FOR CHILDREN by Michael Hague
Twenty poems about pets, farm animals, and wild creatures, big and small, by many poets including Christina Rossetti, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Eileen Spinelli. In "My Puppy" by Aileen Fisher, a child describes a puppy that responds to how the child feels. PRINT/BRAILLE. For preschool-grade 2.

BR 18002
FAVORITE NURSERY RHYMES FROM MOTHER GOOSE by Scott Gustafson
Forty-five nursery rhymes ranging from "Little Bo Peep" and "Humpty Dumpty" to "The Lion and the Unicorn" and the tongue twister "Peter Piper." PRINT/BRAILLE. For preschool-grade 2.

BR 11017
MAPLES IN THE MIST: CHILDREN'S POEMS FROM THE TANG DYNASTY translated by Minfong Ho
A selection of sixteen poems traditionally taught to children. Written during the Tang Dynasty more than a thousand years ago, these short unrhymed poems evoke the beauty and sounds of the natural world. Print/Braille. For grades K-3.

BR 12911
THE COMPLETE POEMS OF WINNIE-THE-POOH by A. A. Milne
Originally written to entertain the author's son, Christopher Robin, some of the verses are about the boy's stuffed animals. This volume contains both the first collection When We Were Very Young, published in 1924, and the second, Now We Are Six, published in 1927. For grades K-3.

BR 14015
LOVE TO MAMA: A TRIBUTE TO MOTHERS by Pat Mora
Thirteen Hispanic heritage poets express love and respect for their mothers and grandmothers in this collection of poetry. A glossary of Spanish words used in the poems is included. Print/Braille. For grades K-3 and older readers.

BR 16021
OH, NO! WHERE ARE MY PANTS? AND OTHER DISASTERS: POEMS edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins
Fourteen poems about things that go wrong from embarrassing moments in the classroom, on stage, at a party, and at the beach to the death of a pet, a friend's move, a stuck Ferris wheel, and a gift that wasn't. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K-3.

BR 17441
YOU READ TO ME, I'LL READ TO YOU: VERY SHORT MOTHER GOOSE TALES TO READ TOGETHER by Mary Ann Hoberman
Short stories in verse based on familiar nursery rhymes. In "Little Miss Muffet," the spider politely asks to join Miss Muffet on her tuffet and after some discussion is permitted to stay. And Jack and Jill have a safer trip up the hill the second time. For grades K-3.

BR 11502
WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS: THE POEMS OF SHEL SILVERSTEIN by Shel Silverstein
A collection of 127 madcap poems. Subjects include acrobats, Band-Aids, dancing pants, and sleeping sardines. For grades 2-4 and older readers.

BR 14014
DIRTY LAUNDRY PILE: POEMS IN DIFFERENT VOICES by Paul B. Janeczko
A washing machine, a broom, kites, cats, and other animals and objects express themselves in this collection of poems. The "Dirty Laundry Pile" explains why it can only be ignored for a little while. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades 2-4.

BR 15718
A VISIT TO WILLIAM BLAKE'S INN: POEMS FOR INNOCENT AND EXPERIENCED TRAVELERS by Nancy Willard
This is a collection of magical poems about life at an imaginary inn staffed by two dragons, two angels, and a rabbit who show to their rooms many curious visitors, including a man in a marmalade hat and the king of cats. For grades 2-4 and older readers. Newbery Medal.

BR 10454
SWEET CORN: POEMS by James Stevenson
Collection of twenty-eight poems on such topics as a tree house, old windows, a ladder, a screen door, a summer storm, a photo album, and an old dog. In "Roadside Stand," the author finds sweet corn (in season) a good reason to be happy. In "Bike Rental" he enjoys the experiences of a ride in the country and gets to keep his memories even though the rental bike must be returned. For grades 3-6.

BR 10461
BIRDS, BEASTS, AND FISHES: A SELECTION OF ANIMALS POEMS selected by Ann Carter
Fifty-one poems all have one thing in common: animals. There are poems about cats, bats, octopuses, fish, lizards, lions, and many other species. Poets include Robert Browning, Ted Hughes, D.H. Lawrence, Ogden Nash, and William Blake. For grades 3-6.

BR 13761
HEARTSONGS by Mattie J. T. Stepanek
A collection of poems by a boy who has a rare form of muscular dystrophy. He expresses his belief in celebrating the gifts of life every day and encourages everyone to listen to the special song inside his or her heart. For grades 3-6 and older readers.

BR 14040
A MOVIE IN MY PILLOW: POEMS/UNA PELICULA EN MI ALMOHADA by Jorge Argueta
A collection of bilingual poems expressing the feelings of a young boy who moves from El Salvador to California because of civil war. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades 3-6. Americas Award.

BR 11934
A LIGHT IN THE ATTIC by Shel Silverstein
A collection of poems that range from exhilarating nonsense to tender sadness. Includes "How Not to Have to Dry the Dishes," "Prayer of the Selfish Child," "Adventures of a Frisbee," and "Hiccup Cure." For grades 4-7 to share with younger children and adults.

BR 13513
THE PLACE MY WORDS ARE LOOKING FOR: WHAT POETS SAY ABOUT AND THROUGH THEIR WORK by Paul B. Janeczko
A collection of poems by thirty-nine poets who also comment on why they write, their inspiration, memories, and enjoyment of playing with words. For grades 4-7.

BR 13683
MY AMERICA: A POETRY ATLAS OF THE UNITED STATES by Lee Bennett Hopkins
Collection of poems depicting the ever-changing landscape of the United States, its people, and its natural wonders. Hopkins divides the country into seven unique regions, plus Washington, D.C. He also provides interesting facts about each state and the District of Columbia. For grades 4-7 and older readers.

BR 15962
DAYS TO CELEBRATE: A FULL YEAR OF POETRY, PEOPLE, HOLIDAYS, HISTORY, FASCINATING FACTS, AND MORE by Lee Bennett Hopkins
A calendar lists each month's birthdays--of people, inventions, or historical events. Facts and poems for specific dates follow. For example, November 10, 1903, cited for the invention of the windshield wiper, is accompanied by Rebecca Kai Dotlich's poem "Windshield Wipers." For grades 4-7.

BR 9932
CELEBRATING AMERICA: A COLLECTION OF POEMS AND IMAGES OF THE AMERICAN SPIRIT compiled by Laura Whipple
Poems and pictures attempt to capture the American spirit under headings such as "land," "heart," "stories," and "people." There is patriotic, humorous, lyrical, and spiritual poetry. These and other styles are illustrated by artwork ranging from traditional landscapes, portraits, and folk art to abstract and pop art. Print/Braille. For grades 5-8 and older readers.

BR 11399
EARTH ALWAYS ENDURES: NATIVE AMERICAN POEMS selected by Neil Philip
A collection of sixty poems from various Native American groups. Concise, eloquent phrases convey a respect for nature and for human qualities. Many reveal the spiritual aspects of tribal life. For grades 5-8 and older readers.

BR 11550
THE COMPLETE POEMS TO SOLVE by May Swenson
A collection of seventy-two poems celebrating the natural world, including such topics as cats, birds, water, sound, space and flight, and creatures. The first group of poems are riddles that challenge the reader to figure out what the poet is describing. For grades 5-8 and older readers.

BR 12244
I, TOO, SING AMERICA: THREE CENTURIES OF AFRICAN AMERICAN POETRY compiled by Catherine Clinton
Thirty-five selections by twenty-five prominent poets spanning American history from colonial days through modern times. A brief biography and explanatory notes precede each work. For grades 5-8 and older readers.

BR 13172
HOW TO WRITE POETRY by Paul B. Janeczko
Practical advice on the art of writing poetry. For grades 5-8.

BR 17465
THE BAREFOOT BOOK OF CLASSIC POEMS by Jackie Morris
Anthology of poems--by Shakespeare, Lewis Carroll, A.A. Milne, and others-that celebrate the human experience. In "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" by Ogden Nash, a cowardly pet dragon leaps to defend his mistress from a pirate. For grades 5-8 and older readers.

BR 12368
THE INVISIBLE LADDER: AN ANTHOLOGY OF CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN POEMS FOR YOUNG READERS edited by Liz Rosenberg
Introduces forty poets with informal statements about their relationships with written or spoken words when they were young; also presents at least one work by each. Includes Marvin Bell, Rita Dove, Allen Ginsberg, Maxine Kumin, Li-Young Lee, Gerald Stern, Alice Walker, and Robley Wilson. For grades 6-9 and older readers.

BR 15321
THE DREAM KEEPER AND OTHER POEMS by Langston Hughes
Collection of sixty-six poems chosen by the author for young readers. Selections include lyrical poems, songs, and blues, many exploring the African American experience. For grades 6-9 and older readers.

BR 10940
REFLECTIONS ON A GIFT OF WATERMELON PICKLE...: AND OTHER MODERN VERSE by Stephen Dunning, Edward Lueders and Hugh Smith
More than one hundred poems on a variety of topics. Includes "How to Eat a Poem," by Eve Merriam; "Dreams," by Langston Hughes; "Lost," by Carl Sandburg; "Sonic Boom," by John Updike; "A Patch of Old Snow," by Robert Frost; and "in Just-," by e.e. cummings. For junior and senior high readers.

BR 11992
JUST PEOPLE AND OTHER POEMS FOR YOUNG READERS & PAPER/PEN/POEM: A YOUNG WRITER'S WAY TO BEGIN POEMS & INVITATIONS by Kathi Appelt
Collection of twenty-two poems describing personal reactions to objects and events such as birds, pebbles, a first kiss, and the death of a loved one. The
second section provides background information on each poem with an invitation to the reader to write about suggested topics. For junior and senior high readers.

BR 16598
A WREATH FOR EMMETT TILL by Marilyn Nelson
A sequence of fifteen interlinked sonnets written as a poetic homage to Emmett Till, the fourteen-year-old victim of racial prejudice and lynching in 1955 Mississippi. Includes a historic note on the events and sonnet notes. For senior high and older readers. Printz Honor; Coretta S. King Honor.

Last Update: 1/14/09