Pug and Other Animal Poems by Valerie Worth. 2013.

A Poem or Two About Animals

Inspiration Book:

Pug and other animal poems by Worth, Valerie — Margaret Ferguson Books, 2013--811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.2 An illustrated collection of poems about foxes, cats, rabbits, pugs, and other animals.

Rationale: There are many poetry entries in Books Alive, and some of them are for animal poetry. Look for the following entries for lessons and Quick Pick ideas: Dark Emperor, Whiff of Pine, Hint of Skunk, Won-Ton, Step Gently Out and Swirl by Swirl. These are just a few entries. Double-check the labels list looking for Poetry entries.

We all have units about animals. Incorporate a poem or two or three in that unit. If they are units you use year after year, write related poems on chart paper, computer, or poster board. Place them around the library story area when that particular animal is the theme. Will save you time over the years.

Or, choose a poem or two for each week for display. Or, read a poem over the PA system each week. Or, do a random Poetry Break, using one of the poems you have made into a poster. For a Poetry Break, pop into a classroom, proclaim it’s poetry break and read the poem to the class or have the teacher read it or the students read it together.

The poetry books listed in this bibliography are all highly recommended, having at least five positive reviews. Feel comfortable using the list as a selection tool to build your collection if you need to enhance or update the collection for primary grades.

The books in the related list are newer animal poetry books for Grades K-3.

Teacher Resources:

Acrostic Poems: All About Me and My Favorite Things Students create acrostic poems using their names and the names of things that are important to them. http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/acrostic-poems-about-favorite-309.html

Acrostic Poems Interactive http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/acrostic/

Lesson Plan at Teach Mentor Texts http://www.teachmentortexts.com/2013/06/pug-and-other-animal-poems.html#axzz2uI7InhDa

Related Books:

Cat talk by MacLachlan, Patricia — Katherine Tegen Books, 2013 811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.6. In this collection of children's poems, a variety of cats describe themselves and their relationships to other animals and to their humans.

I didn't do it by MacLachlan, Patricia — Katherine Tegen Books, 2010--811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.7 A collection of fourteen poetic examples of a dog's life from the perspective of the animals.

Our farm : by the animals of Farm Sanctuary : poems by Gottfried, Maya  — Knopf, 2010 811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.8. A collection of illustrated poems about farm life from the perspective of Maya the cow, J.D. the piglet, Hilda the sheep, and other animals.

Once I ate a pie by MacLachlan, Patricia  — Joanna Cotler Books, 2006--811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.9 Puppy -- Mr. Beefy -- Gus -- Lucy -- Wupsi -- Darla -- Louis -- Sugar -- Three -- Needle nose -- Pocket -- Abby -- Tillie and Maude -- Luke. A collection of fourteen poetic examples of a dog's life from the perspective of the animals.

Fold me a poem by George, Kristine O'Connell — Harcourt, 2005--811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.0 A collection of poems about origami animals.

All things bright and beautiful by Alexander, Cecil Frances  — Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2010--264; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.1 The words of the well-known hymn reflect God's creation of animals, flowers, mountains, sun, rivers, humans, and the ability to enjoy all that he made.

In the sea by Elliott, David  — Candlewick Press, 2014--811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.2 A collection of poems for children featuring woodcut illustrations and rhyming text from David Elliot on the characteristics and behaviors of sea horses, sharks, urchins, whales, and other sea creatures. FREE Teaching Resources available for download from Follett.com

In the wild by Elliott, David — Candlewick Press, 2013 811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.7. A woodcut-illustrated collection of poems that celebrates wild animals. FREE Teaching Resources available for download from Follett.com

Hidden city : poems of urban wildlife by Tuttle, Sarah Grace — Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2018:  811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.9. This collection of poems celebrates the wonders of nature in an urban setting.

I've lost my hippopotamus : more than 100 poems by Prelutsky, Jack — Greenwillow Books, 2012--811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0 A collection of more than one hundred children's poems by Jack Prelutksy, accompanied by black-and-white illustrations.

Polar bear, arctic hare : poems of the frozen North by Spinelli, Eileen — Wordsong, an imprint of Highlights, 2014 811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0. A collection of illustrated poems that reflects the environment and habitat of the Arctic regions.

National Geographic book of animal poetry : with favorites from Robert Frost, Jack Prelutsky, Emily Dickinson, and more : 200 poems with photographs that squeak, soar, and roar! — National Geographic, 2012--808.81; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.1 Full-color photographs accompany two hundred poems about animals. FOLLETT TEACHER RESOURCE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD

Animal poems by Worth, Valerie — Farrar Straus Giroux, 2007--811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.3 An illustrated collection of twenty-three poems about snails, whales, bats, camels, and other animals.

Song of the wild : a first book of animals by Davies, Nicola — Candlewick Press, 2017. 811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.3. A collection of animal poetry.

Over in the forest : come and take a peek by Berkes, Marianne Collins — Dawn Publications, 2012--513.2; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.9 A counting book in rhyme presents various forest animals and their offspring, from a mother beaver and her "little kit one" to a father red fox and his "little kits ten." Includes related facts and activities.

The carnival of the animals by Prelutsky, Jack  — Alfred A. Knopf, 2010 811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.1. An illustrated collection of animal poems, written to accompany composer Camille Saint-Saens' "The Carnival of the Animals.

Animal ark : celebrating our wild world in poetry and pictures by Alexander, Kwame — National Geographic, 2017 811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.3. A howling wolf, a stalking tiger, a playful panda, a dancing bird--pairing the stunning photography of National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore with the delicate poetry of Newbery award-winning author Kwame Alexander, this lush picture book celebrates the beauty, diversity, and fragility of the animal world.

Beastly Verse by Yoon, JooHee  — Enchanted Lion Books, 2015 808.81; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.4. This is an anthology of 16 animal poems for children, illustrated by the graphic artist JooHee Yoon

Stardines swim high across the sky and other poems by Prelutsky, Jack — Greenwillow Books, 2012--811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.5 A collection of poems describing imaginary creatures such as Bluffaloes, Swapitis, and Stardines.

Song of the water boatman & other pond poems by Sidman, Joyce — Houghton Mifflin, 2005--811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.7 A collection of poems that provide a look at some of the animals, insects, and plants that are found in ponds, with accompanying information about each. FREE Teaching Resources available for download from Follett.com

Butterfly eyes and other secrets of the meadow by Sidman, Joyce — Houghton Mifflin, 2006--811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.9 Poem and factual information about meadow flora and fauna are presented alternately. FREE Teaching Resources available for download from Follett from Follett.com

Winter bees & other poems of the cold by Sidman, Joyce  — Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014 811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 5.1.  A collection of poems that explores how animals survive the cold during the winter season. Provides additional facts about the animals and the season.

Bees, snails, & peacock tails : patterns & shapes--naturally by Franco, Betsy — Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2008--811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 5.4 Rhyming text and illustrations depict the science and geometrical patterns of various animals, such as starfish, peacocks, diamondback snakes, and spiders.