31 Days of Children’s Poetry: My KidLit Sealey Challenge
- stefankarlsson
- 3 days ago
- 14 min read
This year I completed my first Sealey Challenge: reading 31 poetry books in 31 days. The Sealey Challenge is an annual poetry reading challenge launched by poet Nicole Sealey in 2017. Each August, poetry lovers around the world aim to read 31 poetry books in 31 days.
For my first Sealey Challenge, I decided to focus on reading children’s poetry books. As a children’s bookseller and a children’s poet myself, I am always looking to discover new poets and expand my knowledge of the different types of poetry books out there. I also wanted to gather inspiration and kickstart my own writing!
Here I present my month-long revelry in the joys of children’s poetry! I hope you’ll feel inspired to check out some books and maybe write some poems of your own, too.
Scroll below to read about the books I enjoyed or click to jump to one of the following sections:
What I Read: 31 Children's Poetry Books
Poetry Picture Books
Climbing the Volcano: A Journey in Haiku — Curtis Manley, illustrated by Jennifer K. Mann
Told through a series of impressionistic haiku, this story takes us on a hike of the South Sister volcano located near the city of Bend, Oregon. I appreciated how this book celebrates the magnitude of the Cascadia region’s landscape by looking at its immensity through the eyes of a young hiker. It’s a book that inspires kids to get outside, connect with nature, and maybe even create a haiku journal on their own hikes.
A Face Is a Poem — Julie Morstad
This beautiful picture book invites us to see the faces around us, as well as our own unique face, with wonder, imagination, and love. Julie Morstad’s lyrical text opens up big questions (“Have you ever stopped and looked, really looked…at a face?”), while her playful illustrations welcome new ways of seeing. This was one of the picture books I read slowly, lingering over each page and looking, really looking at the wondrous details.
Rap It Up! — Carole Boston Weatherford and Jeffery Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Ernel Martinez
This rhyming picture book is an inspiring guidebook to the craft of rap, offering helpful tips about structuring bars, information about literary techniques, and encouragement to put in the work. It’s a book that empowers young writers and future MCs to pick up a pen and tell bold stories. I love books like this that make the tools of artistic creation accessible to all.
Remember — Joy Harjo, illustrated by Michaela Goade
I was excited to discover this lyrical picture book created by two masters of their crafts: former US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo and Caldecott Medal-winning Michaela Goade. This book reminds us where we come from and how we are all connected—with all of humanity and all of nature. It’s a book to read slowly, pausing over each resonant line and each astonishing image in wonder.
Poetry Collections
Arm in Arm: A Collection of Connections, Endless Tales, Reiterations, and Other Echolalia — Remy Charlip
I’m not even sure how to categorize this zany book, and that (for me), is one of its greatest charms. It’s a book that overflows with creative energy: part poetry book, part punny book of riddles, part treasury of looping tales, all wordy wonderful delight! The whimsical mini-dramas and poem-y oddities reminded me of Ruth Kraus’ Minestrone, one of my all-time favorite (children’s) poetry books. I found this book so inspiring.
Bubblegum Delicious — Dennis Lee, illustrated by David McPhail
This collection of bouncy, rhyming poems is characteristic Dennis Lee: off-the-wall absurd, laugh-out-loud silly, and popping with bubblegum sweetness. Fans of Lee’s classic earworm “Alligator Pie” will find lots to love here, including singsong quatrains chirped by bratty bugs, surreal poems that loop full-circle, and tender odes to long-lost donuts. Perfect for ages 5+, this collection is one of those modern classics that can inspire young readers to become lifelong fans of poetry.
Five Little Friends: A Collection of Finger Rhymes — Sean Taylor, illustrated by Fiona Woodcock
This is such a fun, interactive poetry book for little ones. Taylor’s short poems invite kids to act out the imaginative verses, and Woodcock’s vibrant illustrations offer guides as to how kids might perform the actions. It’s so infectious, even adults will join in: I found myself moving my hands like a boat and crawling my fingers like a spider while reading this book. What a great way to pair poetry and movement!
A Gray Cat Wanders: New Poems About Our Animal Friends — Karla Kuskin, selected by Leonard Marcus, illustrated by Marcellus Hall
This is the first book I’ve read by the late great children’s poet Karla Kuskin, and it left me eager to seek out more of her work. The animal world is, of course, one of the classic preoccupations of children’s poetry, but Kuskin’s wry, understated sense of humor makes her timeless subjects feel fresh, whether it’s a cat on a solitary (and seemingly very important) stroll or a dog who is a “walking, barking welcome mat.” I also very much appreciated Leonard Marcus’ illuminating afterword, which serves as an excellent introduction to Kuskin’s oeuvre.
Let Sleeping Cats Lie: Pet Poems — Brian Bilston
This collection of pet poems has poems about dogs and cats, sure, but you’ll also find poems about less common pets such as gerbils, snakes, blue whales, and…dinosaurs! As you can tell, Brian Bilston has a wonderful sense of humor, and this book is brimming with puns, wordplay, and inventive approaches to classic poetic forms. You’ll find haiku, list poems, acrostics, a new take on Christopher Smart’s famous cat poem, and more. Read more about Brian Bilston (AKA "The Poet Laureate of Twitter”) here on the Children's Poetry Summit.
A Lucky Thing — Alice Schertle, illustrated by Wendell Minor
You have doubtless heard of (and bounced along to) Alice Schertle’s modern classic picture book, The Little Blue Truck. However, 10 years before publishing her iconic, rollicking farm tale, Schertle wrote this quiet, thoughtful poetry collection set in a familiar rural landscape. This book would especially be a gem for young writers (7+), as it is a collection that dramatizes the act of writing. It’s a book that will inspire young poets to look at their surroundings with a new perspective and see that it’s a lucky thing indeed to be alive, surrounded by so much wonder.
Messing Around on the Monkey Bars and Other Poems for Two Voices — Betsy Franco, illustrated by Jessie Hartland
These upbeat poems about school are written to be read by two or more voices, making this collection a great classroom read-aloud. Students can divvy up lines and take turns reading parts of each poem. I love how two-voice poems enable readers to perform poems in their own unique way. Here, I appreciated how Betsy Franco adds an extra twist by inviting readers to make noises using objects while reading the poems in order to create an “‘orchestra’ of sounds.”
Nightmare Jones: poems — Shannon Bramer, illustrated by Cindy Derby
As soon as I started reading the spooky and spellbinding Nightmare Jones, I knew it was a poetry collection I’d be returning to for inspiration. The poems explore dream and folkloric imagery in a way that feels magical and mesmerizing, and Derby’s wondrous watercolor illustrations ooze with eerie life. These delightfully disturbing poems are teeming with monsters, spiders crawling in the shadows, and haunted shoes! I adore this weird little book of nightmares, and kids drawn to ghost stories will find their new favorite poetry book here.
The One Thing You’d Save — Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng
This book-length poem begins with a teacher challenging her students to reflect on what objects they would choose to save from a hypothetical fire. The result of this thought-experiment is a thoughtful and surprising meditation on what matters most and why. I found this book so moving, and I felt inspired seeing how Park brings new life to a traditional poetic form, the sijo, writing in a style that feels conversational, intimate, and honest.
Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets — Kwame Alexander, Chris Colderley, and Marjory Wentworth, illustrated by Ekua Holmes
This is a collection of poems written in homage to groundbreaking poets, which makes it a great starting point for young writers seeking to learn more about the history and craft of poetry. You’ll find tributes to authors like Gwendolyn Brooks, Emily Dickinson, Rumi, and many more literary luminaries. One glance at the book’s cover and you’ll see why this book won the 2018 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award—Ekua Holmes’ mixed-media illustrations are breathtakingly beautiful and inspiring.
Outside the Box: A Book of Poems — Karma Wilson, illustrated by Diane Goode
Are you a fan of Shel Silverstein? (If no, then WHAT?!) If yes, then I have found your new favorite poet! Karma Wilson writes brilliant, funny poems that see the world from a kid’s perspective. I admired how this collection included such a wide-range of kid-friendly subjects, from silly monsters to pet robots and everything else you can imagine (that is, if you think outside the box).
The Poetry World of John Agard — John Agard, illustrated by Shirley Hottier
Earlier this year I had the chance to enjoy several poems by the beloved Guyanese-born poet John Agard in the wonderful anthology This Is Not A Small Voice: Poems by Black Poets. Coming across his poems made me eager for more, so I was delighted to enter John Agard’s poetry world in this excellent collection spanning his distinguished career. Agard’s capacious sense of wonder, exuberant humor, and masterful ear for speech and rhythm are all on display in these poems. This book is such a treasure!
The Smell of Wet Dog and Other Dog Poems and Drawings — Barney Saltzberg
From the brilliant creator of Beautiful Oops!, this collection of poems is all about canine companions and the shenanigans they get up to. The poems are as silly, sweet, and lovable as the dogs they depict. Cat fans need not fret: Saltzberg has a new collection of cat poems called Tuna Breath set for release in October 2026.
Thinker: My Puppy Poet and Me — Eloise Greenfield, illustrated by Ehsan Abdollahi
Eloise Greenfield wrote one of my favorite (and one of the all-time great) children’s poetry books, Honey I Love and Other Poems, so I was very excited to read Thinker, one of the last works Greenfield published before she passed away in 2021. This collection is a story told in sixteen poems about a seven-year-old boy and his dog named Thinker—both of them poets! It was a joy to spend time with Greenfield’s characteristic wit, playful imagination, and dazzling “word-music.”
Time for Haiku: Four Seasons of Poems — Josep Santaeulàlia, translated by Lawrence Schimel, illustrated by Luciano Lozano
This book is a lovely introduction to both the seasons and the literary tradition of haiku for kids. Santaeulàlia’s haiku capture iconic, quiet moments from each season, inviting young readers to ponder what seasonal scenes are most special to them. I appreciated the pairing of minimalist poems with Lozano’s vibrant artwork. The back of the book includes information about the history of haiku as well as guidance and inspiration for writing your own haiku.
Wet Cement: A Mix of Concrete Poems — Bob Raczka
I’m a big fan of concrete poems, and this collection by Bob Raczka is an exciting take on this style of visual poetry for kids. I love how Raczka’s poems play with words, typography, and the page. They open up new ways of seeing both everyday language and the everyday wonders around us. You might also consider checking out Raczka’s excellent book Lemonade: And Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word, which is another wonderfully playful collection of children’s poems.
When Green Becomes Tomatoes: Poems for All Seasons — Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Julie Morstad
This is such a stunning collection of seasonal poems. I love how these poems pause to appreciate the fleeting joys and tender sorrows of each season. It’s the kind of book that will make you notice and really look at the small changes taking place around you each day. I also think it could be a great book to share as motivation for kids to keep a poetry diary: taking notes on daily observations and feelings.
Wisdom of the Woods: 40 Nature Poems Passed Down from Bear to Bear — Rachel Piercey, illustrated by Freya Hartas
This poetry collection is part of the brilliant Brown Bear Wood series—a series that includes search-and-find poetry books, board books, activity books, and more. This particular installment features Piercey’s sweet, enlightening, and expertly crafted poems alongside Freya Hartas’ whimsical and woodsy illustrations. It’s a book that brings to light the enchantment at the heart of the woods—a chance for young and old alike to marvel at the natural world.
Themed Anthologies
Incredible Inventions — poems selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins, illustrated by Julia Sarcone-Roach
This anthology features poems about big and small inventions that bring joy and convenience to modern life, from roller coasters to velcro. The sixteen poems are accompanied by vibrant illustrations and back matter describing the origins of each invention. I thought the poems were just as inventive as the subjects they described—a very impressive collection with STEM crossover appeal.
A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms — Paul B. Janeczko, illustrated by Chris Raschka
Earlier this year I enjoyed Janeczko and Raschka’s excellent concrete poetry anthology titled A Poke in the I, so I was looking forward to getting A Kick in the Head, and it did not disappoint! This anthology is a great way to introduce young writers to a wide variety of poetic forms, as it makes the rules accessible and encourages kids to give each form a go.
The Mistakes That Made Us: Confessions from Twenty Poets — edited by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, illustrated by Mercè López
This anthology of 20 poems offers honest and big-hearted poems about real-life mistakes that poets made when they were young. I appreciated the mix of humor, embarrassment, and thoughtful self-reflection in these poems, as they show in surprising and creative ways how mistakes are often our greatest opportunities for growth. You’ll find pieces written by a number of well-known children’s poets including Margarita Engle, Naomi Shihab Nye, the late-great Jane Yolen, and more.
One Minute till Bedtime: 60-Second Poems to Send You off to Sleep — selected by Kenn Nesbitt, illustrated by Christoph Niemann
This is such a brilliant anthology, featuring poems full of humor and wonder on the subject of bedtime but also exploring a wide variety of topics, from family to the natural world. Each of the poems is short, making it ideal for a quick bedtime read. As Kenn Nesbitt writes, “Take a minute for poetry before you tuck in!” I agree!
Non-Fiction Poetry Books
Black Diamond Kings — Charles R. Smith Jr., illustrated by Adrian Brandon
Earlier this year I enjoyed two collections of children’s poems by Charles R. Smith Jr. all about soccer stars (you can read about those books here). He has a way of bringing athletes to life on the page, using cleverly chosen poetic forms to spotlight each player’s key talents. Here in Black Diamond Kings, he celebrates Black baseball legends with poems that “pop at the plate” and “burn bats / with precision and skill.” History meets baseball meets poetry—play ball!
Boom! Bellow! Bleat!: Animal Poems for Two or More Voices — Georgia Heard, illustrated by Aaron DeWitt
This book of animal poems for two or more voices creates a chorus of wild word-music. I love how these poems invite young readers to participate in nature’s orchestra by embodying different creatures. The book is also full of fun facts about each creature, making it a great source of information for animal lovers. I imagine this book would be a hoot to read in the classroom. It might get noisy!
Hello, Ocean! — James Carter, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman
Everything about this book feels so thoughtfully considered and lovingly made: the poems that introduce kids to the wonders of our oceans, the illustrations that bring those wonders to life, and even the design of the book itself, with pages shaped like waves that reveal more and more of the ocean’s depths. My descriptions don’t do it justice. You just have to grab a copy and dive in!
Graphic Novels-in-Verse
Dino Poet: Pen Pals — Tom Angleberger
This book is the second installment in the fantastic Dino Poet series. This sequel rejoins our heroes Frog and the titular Dino Poet as they evade volcanic eruptions, flee from hungry predators, and hunt for the thrill of poetry! This hilarious prehistoric romp is such a hoot and will surely inspire young readers to write their own dinosaur poems. What a brilliant way to show how poetry is waiting to be found all around us if we just look—and roar!
Garvey’s Choice: The Graphic Novel — Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Theodore Taylor III
Nikki Grimes’ novel-in-verse is such a powerful story of family, friendship, and self-discovery, and this illustrated version of the verse-novel truly sings. Garvey’s Choice is about a boy who struggles with teasing from bullies, the burdensome expectations of his football-loving father, and a developing eating disorder. Encouraged by a friend, Garvey steps out of his comfort zone and joins the school chorus, ultimately discovering he has a powerful voice of his own. I found this story incredibly moving. It’s one of those books you want to hug to your chest when you finish it.
What I Discovered About Children's Poetry
This reading challenge gave me the chance to reflect on what I value most in children’s poetry. After reading so many books in such a short period of time, I started to appreciate not only the vast array of forms that poems can take (sonnets, haiku, concrete poems, etc.), but also the myriad purposes that poetry can serve.
For instance, a poet like James Carter, in his deep and beautiful Hello, Ocean!, uses the enlightening power of rhythmic language to inform and instruct about the oceans and marine life. Meanwhile, Sean Taylor highlights the musicality of language in Five Little Friends: A Collection of Finger Rhymes to inspire movement, active play, and embodied learning. On the other hand, Shannon Bramer, in her otherworldly Nightmare Jones, weaves enchanting words into spellbinding ghost stories, imagining a shadowy language of dreams.
In other words, this reading challenge reminded me that poetry is infinitely flexible, and that flexibility works in two ways: 1) we can shape poetry to serve any imaginable purpose we choose (to inform, move, entertain, inspire, etc.), and 2) by taking the time and care to read and write poems, we too are shaped by the poems we encounter. Our participation in poetry, whether reading or writing poems, makes us more adaptable, open-minded, and receptive.
And so poetry shaped me this August. This month of reading provided me with countless opportunities to revel in the ingenuity of a poet’s wordplay or delight in chiming rhymes. Thanks to the animal poems I read, I often felt moved to pause and listen to a bird call making itself known amidst the city’s noise. I hunted for poems alongside Tom Angleberger’s adventurous Dino Poet. I cheered alongside Nikki Grimes’ brave young title character in Garvey’s Choice as he chose to face his fears. I reflected alongside Alice Schertle that it is indeed a lucky thing to have a desk, a window, and a moment to marvel at the world outside. I sometimes caught myself wondering at the quiet face of the moon.
These experiences reminded me again and again what a hopeful and life-affirming endeavor it is to read and write poems for kids. Children’s poetry is fun (obviously!), but it is also deeply healing, because its music and wide-eyed wonder participates in imagining and shaping a kinder, more welcoming world.
My thanks goes out to the many poets whose work I had the pleasure of reading this month: you reminded me why I love poetry—and especially poetry written for young readers. Thanks to you and your words, my heart is open a little wider.
More Children's Poetry Resources
Want to explore more children’s poetry? Here are several of my recent posts to get you started:
You can find many of my own poems for kids here, and you can watch my children’s poetry videos on YouTube here.
I also have a children’s poetry zine co-written with my friend and fellow poet Carl Burkitt available on Etsy.
If you’re interested in any of the books I mentioned above, I encourage you to check your local library or independent bookstore. And if you’d like to support a bookstore that is dear to me, you might consider ordering online from Green Bean Books. I’m a bookseller there—come say hi! :)
Thank you for reading!
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Thanks again, and happy reading!
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