In fifth grade I had to stand up in front of my classmates and David McCord, a famous author and poet, and read my own poem. Public speaking is difficult under any circumstances for most people, but when you are an eleven year old bookish introvert and you are reading something of your own creation, it is simply mortifying.
I remember writing my poem onto a sheet of plastic using a waxy pencil so it could be placed on that pinnacle of 1970’s classroom technology: the overhead projector. I have zero recollection of what my poem was about or if it was any good, but I vividly remember standing next to the projector nervously speed-reading to get it over with when Mr. McCord insisted I slow down to properly give the work its due. He was right of course, but at the time being in the spotlight (or the diffused light of the overhead projector) was so embarrassing.
David McCord gave a reading to the rest of the school later, and I can still remember how he read Every Time I Climb a Tree with the right rhythm and timing–no rushing through like me. The polish of a pro who knows his stuff.
Poetry can still intimidate people who are not fifth graders reading in front of a classroom and famous authors, but there’s nothing to be afraid of. Children love poetry, and there are many children’s poets that charm both children and adults of all ages.
I picked up a secondhand copy of David McCord’s One At A Time to see how the poems hold up today and am struck by how simple and timeless they are in an old fashioned way. Some are dated, but he was born in 1897, so that is no surprise. It’s strange to realize now that an author you met in grade school was born in the 19th century. He knew Robert Frost! But the delightful language, and the celebration of childhood through his poems will appeal to children for years to come.
Another prolific poet that writes joyful poems for children is Jack Prelutsky. I can still recite the title poem from The Frogs Wore Red Suspenders by heart from when I read them and read them again to my daughter Sophie years ago. As you can see by the tattered copy, these poems were a hit. A geographical theme starring many cute animals runs through the collection, with stops in Minnesota, the Grand Canyon and other places in the United States. The theatrical language that begs to be read aloud, combined with the whimsical illustrations by Petra Mathers make for a rollicking read with a child next to you on the couch, or on the reading rug at school.
A more recent collection of joyful poems can be found in When Green Becomes Tomatoes; Poems For All Seasons, by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by Julie Morstad. This sweet collection is inspired by the changing seasons. From the “mud/and mud/and mud/and more mud/and muddy mud” of early spring (which reminds me of the repetitive Every Time I Climb a Tree of David McCord), to swimming “on a day that drips hot and thick like honey” in summer, to pumpkins in the fall and a quiet winter day in a “house that sounds like slippers,” these poems are charming tidbits to share with a small friend. What I like is these poems are not just about the stereotypical four seasons of many children’s books, but also about the in between seasons, and the eager anticipation of the next one.
Poetree by Shauna LaVoy Reynolds and illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani is not a book of poems, but a story about poetry and friendship. Sylvia writes a poem and leaves it on the birch tree near her house. She is delighted when the tree writes back! At school she daydreams “about her new leafy friend,” until another student named Walt makes her feel bad after the teacher tells her to pay attention. After a lesson about writing haiku, she writes a poem that earns a gold star. That night she “dreamed of rhymes falling like autumn leaves.” When she greets her tree the next day, she finds Walt there too, and that he likes poetry as much as she does. The two new friends (along with Sylvia’s dog Shel) share the birch tree and a new friendship that is sure to include many poems.
Throughout this delightful picture book filled with sunny watercolors of trees and birds and poems in trees, are the names of famous poets that the adult reader will smile at and be inspired to share with their listeners as they get older.
So grab a book of poetry and enjoy them with your favorite child. Their short length is perfect for any time you want a quick burst of joyful language and fun. Just take your time as you read them aloud to give them their due. David McCord would be proud.
