Poems as Picture Books
I’m a poet and a picture book writer. I’m also a verse novelist. One of my favorite things to do is intentional study—learning from mentor texts. In 2024, each Poetry Friday post will feature one of my favorite things: poems as picture books.
I’ll take my favorite picture books that are poems, illustrated across an entire picture book. As a poet, I’ll also study what makes these poems stand out to me.
Previous Poems as Picture Books Posts
What You Need to Be Warm
by Neil Gaiman
Illustrated by multiple illustrators
Poetry Connections
- Found poetry (or at least crowdsourced)
- List poem
- Repetition
- Word choice (my favorite is “breath-ice”)
- Consonance and Alliteration
Links
- The Marginalian post and Neil reading the poem and the full text.
- Video animating the poem featuring Neil Gaiman
- Linda at Teacher Dance featured this book too
This book was first featured on the January 5, 2023 Poetry Friday post.
Tumble
Poetry Connections
- Use of space (line, word)
- Rhyming
- Couplets
- Alliteration
- Assonance
- Narrative
- Science connections to the flora and fauna in the desert (back matter)
Links
This book was first featured on the January 12, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Thank You, Garden
Poetry Connections
- Pauses using page turns and punctuation.
- Rhyming
- Repetition
- Alliteration
- Rhythm
Links
This book was first featured on the January 19, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Remember
This is a 163-word poem originally published in 1983. It was illustrated by Caldecott Award winner Michaela Goade’s gorgeous illustrations in 2023.
Poetry Connections
- Repetition
- Connection to nature/nature poetry
- Connection to family stories
- Second person POV
Links
This book was first featured on the February 2, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Wild Peace
This 131-word poem as picture book personifies peace and the calming power of nature.
Poetry Connections
- Rhyming
- Personification
- Alliteration
- Assonance
- Consonance
- Repetition
Links
- Il Sung Na’s illustration process
- The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Barry which inspired this book
- Irene reading Wild Peace
This book was first featured on the February 9, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Thank a Farmer
This is a 596-word book that contains what I’d call a series of poems, or you might call it one long poem about different types of farmers.
Poetry Connections
- Alliteration
- Repetition
- Refrain
- Internal rhyme
- Occasional end rhyme
- Strong verbs
Links:
This book was first featured on the March 1, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Beautiful Noise
This is a 447 word picture book biography written as a poem about John Cage.
Poetry Connections
- Repetition
- Refrain
- Second Person POV
- List Poem
- Strong verbs
Links
- Lisa’s website
- New Yorker article about John Cage
- NPR article on John Cage
- Interview with Lisa Rogers
- Lisa Rogers explains how she revised Beautiful Noise.
This book was first featured on the March 8, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Seeds of Change
by Nina Laden, illustrated by Sawyer Cloud
Roaring Brook Press, 2024
This 130-word picture book that uses the metaphor or seeds to help readers know how they can make the world a better place. It has connections to Social-Emotional Learning.
Poetry Connections
- Metaphor
- Rhyming
- Repetition
- Anaphora
- Alliteration
Links
This book was first featured on the March 15, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Climbing the Volcano
Poetry Connections
- Haiku
- Narrative Poetry
- Vivid verbs
- Personification
- Alliteration
- Imagery
Links
This book was first featured on the March 22, 2024 Poetry Friday Post.
We are Branches
This is a 169-word poem told from the point of view of branches, using the collective we voice.
Poetry Connections
- Persona/Mask Poem
- Repetition
- Alliteration
- Assonance
- Imagery
- Word choice (verbs!)
Links
This book was first featured on the April 5, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Outdoor Farm, Indoor Farm
This 160-word text is a rhyming picture book that compares outdoor (traditional) farms and indoor farms.
Poetry Connections
- Rhyming
- Specific word choice
- Vivid Verbs
- Alliteration
Links
This book was first featured on the April 12, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
A Place for Rain
This is a 275-word celebration of rain.
Poetry Connections
- Rhyme
- Onomatopoeia
- Word play
- Alliteration
- Use of space and line breaks
Links
- Book page on Michelle’s website with a link to an educator’s guide
- Onomatopoeia post on Poetry Boost
- Lots of Poetry goodness for teachers at Poetry Boost
This book was first featured on the April 19, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
They Call Me River
This is a 235-word picture book that is told from the point of view of the river.
Poetry Connections
- Personification
- Mask/Persona Poem
- Vivid Verbs
Links
We Who Produce Pearls
This is a stunning 556-word poem that celebrates and shines a light on the history of Asian Americans in this country. It also contains extensive back matter that would help guide educators and students to dig deeper into Asian American history.
I know the publisher recommends this for ages 4-8, but I’d recommend it for upper elementary students who could dig into the language and the history. I’d even recommend it for teens who would be able to connect even deeper.
Poetry Connections
- POV—Collective we
- alliteration
- assonance
- specificity of word choice
- metaphor
- imagery
- personification
Links
- Check out illustrator Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya’s amazing art installations
- Video preview
- Interview with the author and illustrator
This book was first featured in the May 10, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
The Noisy Puddle
This is a nonfiction 257-word rhyming picture book.
Poetry Connections
- rhyming
- repetition
- assonance
- vivid verbs
- alliteration
- consonance
- onomatopoeia
Links
This book was first featured on the May 17, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Woven of the World
This is a 350-word rhyming text about the history of weaving.
Poetry Connections
- Onomatopoeia
- Rhyming
- Alliteration
- Word choice (specificity)
Links
This book was first featured on the May 24, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Hello, Sun!
This 102-word poem as picture book follows nature from morning until night.
Poetry Connections
- rhyming
- vivid verbs
- alliteration
- assonance
- consonance
Links
This book was first featured on the June 7, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Forest
Forest is a 62-word poem as picture book that pays homage to the forest.
Poetry Connections
- rhyming couplets
- assonance
- alliteration
- circular structure
- word specificity
Links
This book was first featured on the June 14, 2024 Poetry Friday Post.
Goodbye Brings Hello
This is a 142-word poem as picture book about leaving our old ways behind and being brave enough to start something new.
Poetry Connections
- Rhyming couplets
- Consonance
- Alliteration
Links
This book was first featured on the June 21, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Swirl by Swirl
This 154-word poem describes swirls in nature.
Poetry Connections
- Metaphor
- Alliteration
- Consonance
- Assonance
- Use of space and punctuation
Links
- Joyce Sidman’s website with links to teacher’s guides, book trailer, and lesson ideas
- Illustrator Beth Krommes explains scratchboard technique
This book was first featured on the July 5, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Voyage
This is a 100-word poem about where books can take us.
Poetry Connections
- metaphor
- personification
- alliteration
- imagery
Links
- Links to more of Karen Romagna’s work
- Interview with Karen Romagna about the making of this book
- Interview with Billy Collins where he talks about this poem
- More about John Y. Cole, the man this poem was written for
- Book trailer
This book was first featured on the July 19, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
You So Black
You So Black is a 221-word spoken word poem that celebrates the beauty and power of Blackness.
Poetry Connections
- Spoken Word Poetry
- Rhyme
- Rhythm
- Alliteration
- Metaphor
- Imagery
Links
- Performance of “You So Black” (This is a longer version than in the picture book)
- Performance at Bounce TV Trumpet Awards
- Theresa Tha S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D reads her book
- Illustrations from London Ladd’s website
This book was first featured on the July 26, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Pickle Words
This 130-word poem is all about pickles. Each spread also has sidebars that explain different types of pickles and pickling techniques.
Poetry Connections
- Word choice
- Rhyming quatrains
- Assonance
- Alliteration
Links
- Jialei Sun, Illustrator Website
- April Pulley Sayre’s Website (currently under construction at the time of this writing)
This book was first featured on the August 9, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
You are Home
A 315-word ode to the national parks.
Poetry Connections
- Ode
- Apostrophe
- Refrain
- Assonance
- Consonance
- Alliteration
- Vivid Verbs
- Imagery
Links
- Listen to author-illustrator Evan Turk read YOU ARE HOME
- Curriculum Guide
- Book Trailer
- Picture Book Builders post about YOU ARE HOME
This book was first featured on the August 16, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Thank You, Moon
This 129-word poem includes nonfiction sidebars about the moon.
Poetry Connections
- Apostrophe
- Anaphora
- Alliteration
- Consonance
- Assonance
- Vivid Verbs
Links
- Melissa Stewart’s book page, including Reader’s Theater and Read Aloud Guide
- Jessica Lanan illustrator
- Ideas for using the book in the classroom
- Melissa Stewart’s process post
This book was first featured in the August 23, 2024 Poetry Friday Post.
To Change a Planet
A 156-word poem about climate change and what people can do to make a difference.
Poetry Connections
- Pacing
- Alliteration
- Consonance
- Assonance
- Repetition
- Anaphora
- Simile
Links
- Christina Soontornvat’s website with video and storytime toolkit
- Illustrator Rahele Jomepour Bell’s website with news about the book
- Reading Rockets video with author Christina Soontornvat
- Interview with the author and illustrator on We Need Diverse Website
This book was first featured in the September 13, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Round and Round the Year We Go
Round and Round the Year We Go
Written and Illustrated by Carter Higgins
Neal Porter/Holiday House, 2024
Round and Round the Year We Go is a 378-word poem that celebrates every month of the year.
Poetry Connections
- Internal rhyme
- Assonance
- Word Play
- Made-up words
- Alliteration
- Consonance
Links
This book was first featured on the September 20, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
What a Mess Can Make
By Bee Johnson
Henry Holt 2024
This 205-word poem celebrations the beauty of messes.
Poetry Connections
- Rhythm
- Rhyme
- Alliteration
- Springboard as a writing prompt for students
Links
- Drawing lesson with Bee Johnson
- Video from the author-illustrator about the story behind the book
- Illustrations by Bee Johnson
This book was first featured on the October 11, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Wind is a Dance
This 279-word poem metaphorically describes wind.
Poetry Connections
- Metaphor
- Alliteration
- Assonance
- Consonance
- Vivid verbs
- Imagery
Links
This book was first featured on the October 18, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Skyscraper Babies
This 154-word poem is about baby birds and baby mammals (including humans) and how their parents take care of them.
Poetry Connections
- Rhyming
- Repetition
- Alliteration
- Strong verbs
Links
This book was first featured on the October 25, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Before the Ships: The Birth of Black Excellence
This is a 312-word poetic Black history celebration.
Poetry Connections
- Alliteration
- Simile
- Internal Rhyme
- Assonance
- Point of View
- Metaphor
Links
This book was first featured in the November 8, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Starlight Symphony
This 264-word poem imagines the evening animals as musical instruments.
Poetry Connections
- Rhyming
- Onomatopoeia
- Figurative language
- Alliteration
- Assonance
- Consonance
Links
- Conversation with Buffy Silverman + Writing Prompts for classrooms
- Writing craft conversation with Buffy Silverman and Kirsten W. Larson
- More about Buffy Silverman’s other poems as picture books on my blog
This book was first featured on the November 15, 2024 Poetry Friday post.
Cold
Cold is a 211-word poem that helps the reader experience the cold in many habitats around the world.
Poetry Connections
- Rhyming
- Alliteration
- Consonance
- Assonance
- Imagery
- Vivid Verbs
Links
This book was first featured on the December 13, 2024 Poetry Friday post.