• Welcome
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Learning Apps
  • Alphabet
  • Learn to Read
  • Phonics
  • Spelling
  • Struggling Readers
  • Comprehension
  • Writing with Kids
  • Free Printables

This Reading Mama

Poetry and Rhyming Books for Older Readers

By thisreadingmama 1 Comment

Rhyming. It’s a very important skill that younger kids need to help them learn to read and spell. But rhyming is effective with older readers, too! Poetry is a great place to start, as there are so many ways you can use it.

Poetry and Rhyming Books for Older Readers - This Reading Mama

*This post contains affiliate links.

Poetry and rhyming books with a touch of silly added to them are a great tool especially for older, reluctant or struggling readers. The rhyming books and poetry in this book list are some of my favorites to use with older readers {end of 2nd grade and up.} All of them, with the exception of one, are part of our at-home library and are used on a regular basis.

 

Poetry and Rhyming Books for Older Readers

 

Parts by Tedd Arnold is a silly rhyme about a boy who thinks he’s literally falling apart. While young children will enjoy this book, older kids will enjoy and better “get” the images and humor. If you enjoy this one, you’ll also enjoy More Parts and Even More Parts, rhyming books with figurative language.

 

I have used The 20th Century Children’s Poetry Treasure for teaching so many comprehension strategies. It is filled with funny poetry and more serious poetry and has pages that share a common theme. While it is compiled by Jack Prelutsky, there are many authors featured.

 

For Laughing Out Loud and For Laughing Out Louder {hard to find} are both full of silly, nonsense poetry compiled by Jack Prelutsky, one of our favorites.

 

Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs is only one of many silly rhyming poems from Alan Katz. These will have your kids in stitches. I will say that if you don’t like potty humor, these books aren’t for you, especially On Top of the Potty.

 

Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, and Falling Up by Shel Silverstein were ALL favorites of the older, struggling readers that I tutored…boys and girls alike. I especially enjoyed teaching about visualization and figurative language, as often his illustrations would feature the literal meaning of phrases like “growing a foot”.

 

If I Were in Charge of the World and Other Worries by Judith Viorst {the author of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day}is the only book in this collection that we don’t own, but it was recommended to me by someone I know and trust. After reading some of the poems myself, I’d recommend this for 3rd grade and above. Not all of the poems in this book rhyme and some have an irregular rhyme, which is great for older readers to hear.

 

Giant Children by Brod Bagert is a book that my boys in particular have enjoyed. My 3rd grader’s favorite poem is Booger Love, which is never under any circumstances supposed to be read to an adult. All the more reason for kids to love these silly poems.

 

Jack Prelutsky’s poetry is just pure silly and maybe a little too much for some kids. We own and love the poems in The New Kid on the Block, but he also has several other poetry books that are just as fun and silly!

Poetry and Rhyming Books for Older Readers

 

You Might Also Like:

  • 4 Things to Consider When Picking Books for Struggling Readers
  • 6 Ways to Use Poetry with Kids
  • How to Plan for a Reluctant Reader
  • 15+ Things to Say When a Child Doesn’t Know a Word

Follow This Reading Mama’s board Struggling Readers on Pinterest.

Follow This Reading Mama’s board Reading Resources for Older Readers on Pinterest.  

Stay connected so you don’t miss a thing:

  • Subscribe by email {get really cool FREEBIES when you do!}
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

~Becky


It’s your turn to link up! We would love to have you link up your School-Age Post (Ages 5 and up) about your learning week after school time including Crafts,Activities, Playtime and Adventures that you are doing to enrich your children’s lives after their day at school, homeschool, or on the weekend!Afterschool Link Up Every Monday Cohosted by The Educators’ Spin On It Planet Smarty Pants Boy Mama Teacher Mama Mama Smiles Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational The Measured Mom This Reading Mama When linking up, please take a moment to comment on at least one post linked up before yours and grab our after school button to include a link on your post or site! By linking up you’re giving permission for us to share on our After School Pinterest Board or Feature on our After School Party next week! Don’t forget to follow along and join our After School Enrichment Community.

Want MORE Free Teaching Resources?

Join thousands of other subscribers to get hands-on activities and printables delivered right to your inbox!

Filed Under: Reading Readiness, Struggling Readers Tagged With: poetry, reluctant readers, rhyming, struggling readers

« Learning the Alphabet: Letter D Printable Pack
3 Activities for Making Predictions »

Trackbacks

  1. 20+ games and free printables for learning rhyming words - The Measured Mom says:
    February 8, 2015 at 8:53 am

    […] Poetry and other rhyming books for older children from This Reading Mama […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

JOIN MY NEWSLETTER

and get free printables!

Sign me up!


Hi! I’m Becky, a homeschooling mama with 4 blessings who keep me on my toes {and knees}. Before homeschooling, I was a classroom teacher (M.Ed.) and reading tutor. Read more about me here.

Let’s Get Connected!

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Checkout
  • Privacy
  • Affiliates

Copyright © 2023 · Designed by Visibilia Media