Shower yourself with Poetry!

April showers provide the perfect backdrop for your family to get in some extra reading! This month, why not shower your family with poetry? Here are a few fabulous poetry books and rainy day books to get you started this April!

 

Blue Chameleon

(Simon & Schuster, $16.99; ages 2-6) by Emily Gravett. If the April showers are getting you down, pick up "Blue Chameleon," it's sure to bring a smile to your face! This lonely chameleon will cheer you right up on a rainy day in April! He tries everything to fit in from changing yellow to match a banana to changing purple-polka-dotted to match a ball. Will this lonely color-changer ever find a match? Or must he remain "blue" forever? Find out in this charming, rainy-day or any-day read!

 

 

The Thingamabob

(Alfred A. Knopf, $15.99; ages 2-6) by Il Sung Na. When an elephant finds a thingamabob he's not quite sure what to do with it. First he tries to use it to fly. It doesn't work. His friends don't know what it is for either. Then rain comes and the thingamabob keeps them all dry. Keep dry along with the elephant and his friends this April as you learn about their Thingamabob. You'll be sure to want to have one too—just in case those April showers come as promised!

 

 

His Shoes Were Far Too Tight: By Edward Lear

(Chronicle Books, $16.99; ages 5-9) masterminded by Daniel Pinkwater and illustrated by Calef Brown. Celebrate poems by Edward Lear this month. From the Owl and the Pussycat to a delightfully silly alphabet, this book is full of nonsensically wonderful poetry. Stunning, vivid illustrations paired with Lear's amazing poetry make this book a winner anytime of year!

 

 

 Poem in your Pocket for Young Poets

(Amulet Books, $12.95; ages 8 and up) selected by Bruno Navasky. One hundred Selections from E.E. Cummings, Emily Dickinson, Naomi Shaihab Nye and many others grace the pages of this fabulous poetry collection that you can either keep together or take apart and carry with you to share with others. Sections of poetry featured include poetry about nature, wordplay, everyday things, imagination, and many other things. Enjoy reading and sharing these poems all month long and beyond! They are perfect for sharing this poetry month!

 

 

 At the Sea Floor Cafe: Odd Ocean Critter Poems

(Peachtree Publishers, $14.95; ages 8-12) by Leslie Bulion. Sea creatures are celebrated in poetry in this fun and creative book. Each odd ocean critter is featured in a poem and then explained a bit more in an informative sidebar. Bright, bold illustrations dance through the poetry and sidebars tying them together to make this book one that children will keep coming back to both for the poetry and for the information!

 

 

 

 Exposed

(Random House Books for Young Readers, $16.99; ages 14 and up) by Kimberly Marcus. Poignant and thought-provoking, this book will stick with you for a long time. What is one night? What is the truth? How do you choose between your best friend and your brother? Liz deals with what happens one night and untangles the truth between her best friend and her brother. Wade through the shades of gray with Liz and find out a little more about what it means to be "exposed." ?

 

 

  

Jennifer Galvin is never far from her children, a paintbrush, or a good book. Find her on the Web at www.jennifergalvin.com.