Tell Your Story: Poetry

Good poetry for children connects them with their emotions, serves as a bridge between cultures, promotes language learning, helps them learn to read and enriches the school curriculum.

Poetry contains emotionally charged words, uses only a few words to say a great deal, is melodic – sings as it says, contains rhythm repetition and rhyme, captures the essence of a concept, has layers of meaning, and is the natural language of childhood.

Maybe you’d like to begin writing poetry for children, or you have some poems and want to learn more about how to get them+ published. Whichever it is, we believe your poems can inspire children, and we’d love to help.

Workshops for Poets

No results found.

Inspiring Children Through Story

“My picture book … deals with parents separating. One little boy, who parents recently divorced, went to bed with [it] many nights. This deeply moved me to know this picture book helped this little boy.

“I tutor 2nd grade reluctant readers. My understanding of picture book structure and prose allows me to help them learn more than words. Rather than just read the story, we talk about it.”

“You mean I get to keep this book forever?”

…Spoken by a child in tears who was gifted with one of my books at a school visit and had never owned a book before.

“When I hear kids giggle while I’m reading [my book] I feel like I’ve done the job I intended to do.

Poetry Resources

Donna Janell Bowman
#HFGather: A Poetry Chat

with Nikki Grimes and Sarah Aronson

Magic
The Magic of Metaphor

by Georgia Heard & Rebecca Kai Dotlich

A Jar of Tiny Stars
Writing Poetry for Children

by Bernice Cullinan

Writing Renga with Lovely Poets at Our Retreat Center

Writing Renga with Lovely Poets at Our Retreat Center

The Pleasure and Magic of Metaphor and Poetry

The Pleasure and Magic of Metaphor and Poetry

Read a Verse Novel a Day for Poetry Month

Read a Verse Novel a Day for Poetry Month

David Harrison on Rhyming Picture Books and Poetry Collections

David Harrison on Rhyming Picture Books and Poetry Collections

Get Involved at the Highlights Foundation

Stories from Our Highlights Foundation Alumni

From Workshop to Publication to Acquiring Editor

From Workshop to Publication to Acquiring Editor

Celebrate Children’s Book Week with Author Sarah Aronson and Amy Guglielmo of Reading Rainbow Live!

Celebrate Children’s Book Week with Author Sarah Aronson and Amy Guglielmo of Reading Rainbow Live!

Rediscovering Joy with Picture Books

Rediscovering Joy with Picture Books

How You Can Celebrate Floyd Cooper Day During Children’s Book Week (May 6)

How You Can Celebrate Floyd Cooper Day During Children’s Book Week (May 6)

Our Mission in Action

Share Your Story, Inspire a Child
Scholarships
Equity & Inclusion in Kidlit
Partners & Sponsors

The Highlights Foundation positively impacts children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves.  Learn more about our impact.