Give Yourself to the Rain

One of the things I like to do with my boy is read poetry.  

About six weeks ago we went to a book sale and I went from table to table looking for books on poetry suitable for my lad.   NO ONE had any.   I was devastated!   It's hard to find books with poetry at yard sales.

Finally one of the vendors rifled through her books and came up with this one.  Give yourself to the Rain - poems for the very young.

This book is written by Margaret Wise Brown.   She says "to write well for children one must love the things that children love".   And so she writes on the things that children do indeed love.

The last poem of the book, my son said "that was a good poem mom, I liked that one".

So allow me to share it with you.
Good-bye Little Bunny Good-bye.

Good-bye Little Bunny Good-bye
You'll be a rabbit soon
And no one can catch you
Running away
Under the changing moon
Too soon.
Good-bye little bunny good-bye
you'll be a rabbit
Soon

There were several other poems in the book that he liked as well, one even inspired him to make up his own short poem (which I am NOT allowed to share with you).    I can't say that I appreciated them all, but that's how it is with poetry (just like with art).  You can't like everything all the time.  But the poems entertained, inspired and taught my lad and that's exactly what I wanted.  :)

Do you read poetry with your children?   If so, what books have intrigued them?   What author do you recommend?