You may pick up National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems with Photographs That Squeak, Soar, and Roar! (compiled by J. Patrick Lewis) for a quick look through for National Poetry Month, but once you delve into it you will probably want to have it handy to read again and again. 
J. Patrick Lewis is currently our Children’s Poet Laureate. For this book, he combines some of the best poems written about animals with phenomenal photographs, many from National Geographic’s own archives. Starting with a chapter called “Welcome to the World” and moving through “the big ones,” the little ones,” “the winged ones,” etc., Lewis has arranged the poems in such a way that they feel like a coherent whole, even though they are by poets as diverse as D.H. Lawrence, Ogden Nash, and Jane Yolen.
I already have some favorites from the collection. “What is the Opposite of Pillow?” by Richard Wilbur struck my funny bone. “The answer, child, is armadillo.” The aerial photograph of a flock of flamingos on page 118 forms the shape of a flamingo the way the shape poem by J. Patrick Lewis does. Very cool!
In the back are two pages about writing poems the describes the various forms with humorous examples and encourages children to write their own poetry.
The best part is, this book just begs to be shared. Looking for child-friendly poetry appropriate for Poem in Your Pocket Day, April 18, 2013? Look no further than National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry.
Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: National Geographic Children’s Books (September 11, 2012)
ISBN-10: 1426310099
ISBN-13: 978-1426310096
Nonfiction Monday is a blogging celebration of nonfiction books for kids. We invite you to join us. For more information and a schedule, stop by Booktalking to see who is hosting each week.
This week’s round-up can be found at NC Teacher Stuff. Stop by and see Jeff’s new book!