Poetry is a wonderful way to introduce children to the beauty and power of language. Whether they are just starting to read or are already in middle school, poetry books can inspire their imagination, nurture their creativity, and teach them valuable lessons about life and emotions. Here are 15 essential poetry books that every young reader should have in their collection:

1. “Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein

2. “A Light in the Attic” by Shel Silverstein

3. “Poems To Learn By Heart” by Caroline Kennedy

4. “A Pizza the Size of the Sun” by Jack Prelutsky

5. “Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets” by Kwame Alexander

6. “The 20th Century Children’s Poetry Treasury” edited by Jack Prelutsky

7. “Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse” by Marilyn Singer

8. “The Random House Book of Poetry for Children” edited by Jack Prelutsky

9. “The New Kid on the Block” by Jack Prelutsky

10. “Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat” edited by Nikki Giovanni

11. “A Child’s Introduction to Poetry” by Michael Driscoll

12. “The Tree That Time Built: A Celebration of Nature, Science, and Imagination” edited by Mary Ann Hoberman

13. “Seedfolks” by Paul Fleischman

14. “Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices” by Paul Fleischman

15. “The Crossover” by Kwame Alexander