National Poetry Month and a GIVEAWAY

April is National Poetry Month.  To honor the poetry genre, we’ll look at my top ten children’s poetry books.  Plus, one lucky reader will win one of my favorite poetry books!  Drumroll please…

1.  Sing a Song of Popcorn

Not only does it contain a great collection of poetry (over 100 poems), but it also features the illustrations of nine Caldecott artists.  Poems are clustered into topics such as “Spooky Poems” and “Mostly Nonsense”.  It also includes my favorite poem, “Sunflakes”.

2. Hailstones and Halibut Bones

This is a short book that explores the vivid imagery of twelve different colors.   A book for all ages.

 “Black is the night

When there isn’t a star

And you can’t tell by looking

Where you are.”

3. Where the Sidewalk Ends

A favorite poetry list must include something by Shel Silverstein.  The collection is full of humorous poetry with Silverstein’s own illustrations.

4. A Pizza the Size of the Sun

Jack Prelutsky is a well-known children’s poet.  The book contains over 100 humorous poems.

5.  Spectacular Science

Lee Bennett Hopkins selected the poems for this book.  You will find poems about magnets, metamorphosis, snowflakes,  stars and more.

6.  Fathers, Mothers, Sisters, Brothers (A Collection of Family Poems)

Mary Ann Hoberman showcases families in this collection of poems from “Cousins are Cozy” to “When Annie Was Adopted”.

7.  Snuffles and Snouts

A whole book of poetry about pigs!  Steven Kellogg illustrated the collection.  It’s a beautiful and fun book.

8.  At the Crack of the Bat

Just in time for baseball season, Lillian Morrison has compiled over 30 poems about the beloved sport.  Take me out the ballgame!

9.  Monster Soup and Other Spooky Poems

This collection features poets such as Rowena Bennett, Jack Prelutsky, Beatrice Schenk de Regniers and more.  Poems are silly and spooky, but not scary!

10. The Random House Book of Poetry for Children

A powerful duo of Jack Prelutsky, who compiled the poems, and Arnold Lobel, who illustrated the book,  equals one classic poetry book to have in your collection.  It has always been one of my go to resources for great poems.  I like it so much that I giving a copy away to one lucky reader!

Giveaway Guidelines

You have multiple chances to win a hardcover copy of The Random House Book of Poetry for Children.

1.  Leave a comment on this post.

2.  Like Growing Book by Book on Facebook.  Simply use the button in the right hand tool bar THEN, leave another comment saying that you liked Growing Book by Book on Facebook.

3.  Become an email follower.  You can find a spot in the right hand tool bar to fill out your email address to become a follower.  Make sure to leave a comment that you became a follower.

4.  Become a Pinterest follower.  Click the Pinterest button on the right and then click on follow once you get to Pinterest.  Be sure to leave a comment on this post telling me you became a Pinterest follower.

There you go!  Four ways to win!  Entries will be accepted until 4/8/12 at 9:00pm (CST).  The lucky giveaway winner will be randomly selected the week of 4/9/12 and announced on this site.  The winner will have 5 days to contact me with mailing information.  If the winner does not contact me within the given time, another winner will be selected.  Good luck!

And, don’t forget to celebrate Poem In Your Pocket Day on April 26th.  Simply carry around your favorite poem in your pocket for the day and share it with others.

*Check out my linky party page to see where I’ve linked to this week.