Children's books: poetry
31 hand-picked books from the Bookbear catalogue tagged “poetry”, with Indian authors first. Each one has an age range, a short description, a heads-up on any sensitive topics and a link to buy in India.
-
One in a Million
by Smriti Halls
Ages 4–5Indian author
Debra the zebra can count — but what comes after ten? A heartwarming picture book to snuggle up with together.
-
Gol Mol Bol
by Pridhee (music by Ramya Shankar)
Ages 4–6Indian author
A collection of classic Hindi nursery rhymes brought to life with charming illustrations and a downloadable music track. Warm and sing-along.
-
Amma Tell Me About Diwali!
Ages 4–7Indian author
The story of Diwali — Ram and Sita's return, the triumph of light over darkness — told in joyful rhyme with vibrant illustrations. Part of Bhakti Mathur's beloved 22-book Amma Tell Me series on Indian mythology and festivals.
-
Amma Tell Me About Holi!
Ages 4–7Indian author
The legend of Prahlad and Holika and the explosion of colour play that follows — the Holi story retold in lilting rhyme. A joyful introduction to one of India's most exuberant festivals.
-
Amma Tell Me About Krishna!
Ages 4–7Indian author
Krishna's birth, his butter-stealing mischief in Vrindavan, and his heroic adventures — retold in warm, accessible rhyme with gorgeous illustrations. A perfect first mythology book for young children.
-
Amma Tell Me About Ganesha!
Ages 4–7Indian author
How Ganesha got his elephant head, why he carries a modak, and what makes him the most beloved deity in the Hindu pantheon — told in rhyme for the very young.
-
Tiger! Tiger! Stories of the Big Cat
by Various, intro by Zai Whitaker
Ages 10–14Indian author
An anthology of classic and contemporary stories and poems about tigers, from foolish to fierce to supernatural.
Heads-up: Violence
-
Wordygurdyboom! The Nonsense World of Sukumar Ray
by Sukumar Ray (trans. Sampurna Chattarji)
Ages 7–11Indian author
A playful English translation of Sukumar Ray's beloved Bengali nonsense verse and stories, capturing the wordplay of the original Abol Tabol.
-
Abol Tabol
by Sukumar Ray
Ages 6–11Indian author
The original Bengali edition of Sukumar Ray's beloved nonsense verse collection, first published in 1923 — playful rhymes and absurd creatures that have delighted generations of Bengali readers.
-
Aao Bhai Khillu (आओ भाई खिल्लू)
by Prabhat
Ages 5–10Indian author
A collection of 47 playful Hindi poems for children by Prabhat, one of the best-loved contemporary Hindi children's poets.
-
Sarojini Naidu: The Nightingale and the Freedom Fighter
by Anuradha Kumar
Ages 9–13Indian author
The child prodigy who became the 'Nightingale of India' — poet, fearless freedom fighter and the first woman to preside over the Indian National Congress.
-
If Elephants Could Talk
Ages 10–14Indian author
Twelve-year-old Meenakshi has not spoken since her mother died, until dance and a temple elephant named Ganeshan help her find her voice to protect the animals she loves.
Heads-up: Death & grief, Animal cruelty
-
Oluguti Toluguti
by Radhika Menon & Sandhya Rao, eds. (illus. Kshitiz Sharma)
Ages 2–6Indian author
54 rhymes from 18 Indian languages in lively English versions that keep the sounds: kau kau crows, chuk chuk trains, chham chham rain and dam padam pappadams. A joyful celebration of India's many languages.
-
Jenny Peckles Lays Eggs With Speckles
by Rachel Emily
Ages 4–5
A silly, fun, inventive rhyming book about clever chickens and the lengths they'll go to in order to stand out.
-
The Bear and the Hare and the Fair
by Em Lynas
Ages 4–5
A lovely book about friendship, trying something new, and going out of your comfort zone. Full of rhyming, fun language.
-
The Footballing Fairy
by Elli Woollard
Ages 4–5
Femi the fairy adores football but her shots aren't always on target. A charming book about following your dreams.
-
Blue Jelly and Strawberries
by Kate Sheppard (illus. Attie Lime)
Ages 8–9
A joyful collection of poems about food that will make young children laugh. Delightfully illustrated.
-
The Adventures of Rap Kid
by MC Grammar
Ages 8–9
Z never speaks at school in case he automatically rhymes — can he win the Royal Rap Rumble? Teaches you to write your own rap.
-
The Crossover
Ages 8–9
Twelve-year-old Josh narrates basketball, twin brotherhood, and a father's health crisis in electrifying slam-poetry verse. Newbery Medal winner. One of the best books ever written for this age.
Heads-up: Death & grief
-
I Am Enough
by Grace Byers
Ages 4–7
A lyrical, empowering poem about loving who you are, how you look, and where you come from. Celebrates Black girls and the joy of being exactly enough.
-
The Undefeated
Ages 6–9
A love letter to Black Americans — their struggles, achievements, and resilience — in soaring poetic language. Caldecott Medal winner. Profound and essential reading.
-
Inside Out & Back Again
by Thanhha Lai
Ages 10–12
A verse novel told through a year of haiku, following ten-year-old Hà as her family flees Vietnam as refugees and arrives in Alabama. Raw and luminous. Newbery Honor.
Heads-up: War & battle violence, Death & grief, Racism & discrimination
-
Ode to an Onion: Pablo Neruda and His Muse
by Alexandria Giardino
Ages 5–8
The story of how the great Chilean poet Pablo Neruda found his muse in Matilde and in the everyday world around him. Gorgeous illustration and lyrical text.
-
Bee-Bim Bop!
Ages 3–6
A child helps her mother shop, chop, and cook a traditional Korean meal — all in bouncy, irresistible rhyming verse. A joyful celebration of Korean food and family.
-
Walking Through the Jungle
by Debbie Harter
Ages 3–5
A child walks through jungle, ocean, mountains, and river — encountering lions, whales, crocodiles, and more in bold, cheerful illustrations. A beloved Barefoot Books classic for the very young.
-
All Are Welcome
by Alexandra Penfold
Ages 3–7
A joyful, rhyming celebration of a school where every child — whatever their background, faith or family — is welcome just as they are.
-
I Am Every Good Thing
Ages 5–9
A joyful, rhythmic affirmation of Black boyhood — brave, kind, creative, smart and so much more. A companion to the bestselling Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut.
-
Booked (Graphic Novel)
by Kwame Alexander & Dawud Anyabwile
Ages 10–13
Twelve-year-old Nick loves football more than anything, but a divorce, a crush and a bully get in the way — the Newbery winner's verse novel as a graphic novel.
-
Rebound
by Kwame Alexander & Dawud Anyabwile
Ages 10–13
The prequel to The Crossover: after his father dies, Charlie finds his way back through basketball, family and friendship, told in verse.
-
All the Blues in the Sky
by Renée Watson
Ages 10–14📱 eBook only in India
Told in poetry and prose, a girl learns to carry her grief after the death of her best friend. A gentle, honest book about loss and healing.
Heads-up: Death & grief
-
Floating Words
by Shamim Azad & Rumana Yasmin, eds. (illus. Rifat Taher)
Ages 7–12✈️ Import only (pricey)
A collection of children's poems by Bengali writers exploring a deep cultural and personal connection with water.
