Welcome, fellow poetry lovers! It is time again for this week’s Children’s Poetry Blog Post Roundup, where we gather to celebrate the latest news, updates, and verses from the world of children’s poetry over the past week. Whether you are a poet, an elementary school teacher, or simply someone who delights in a clever verse, here is a helpful summary of what our wonderful community has been sharing.
“I Can’t Wait for Summer” is one of the funny poems from my upcoming collection, “The Greatest Book of Poetry Ever Written by Kenn Nesbitt.” The book will be released on October 13, 2026 in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions. You can pre-order the Kindle edition now here:
If you enjoyed this poem, please give the video a 👍 on YouTube, subscribe to my channel, and click the notification bell so you won’t miss future poems, readings, and book updates. Thanks for watching!
Lunchbox SwitcherooSometimes magazines ask me to write poems on a specific topic. Earlier this year, an editor at Storyworks 4-6, a multi-genre magazine for students in grades 4–6, asked me to write a poem about being nervous about making new friends on the first day of school. Instead of writing just one poem, I did what I usually do and wrote several different ideas so the editor would have a few to choose from.
In the end, they picked a different poem, called “Friendship Starter Kit,” which you’ll be able to read in the September 2026 issue of Storyworks 4-6. But I liked this one so much that I didn’t want it to sit in a folder on my computer, so I decided to share it here instead.
I think one of the nicest things about making new friends is that sometimes it happens when you least expect it. You don’t always have to plan it. Sometimes all it takes is a funny coincidence, a shared interest, or even grabbing the wrong lunchbox. I hope you enjoy it. This is…
Lunchbox Switcheroo
I brought my new lunchbox the first day of school.
Its Zombie Bananas design was so cool.
I stashed it where lunchboxes go, by the door
alongside a jumble of twenty or more.
At lunchtime the bell rang. I picked up my lunch.
I knew it had grapes and a packet of punch
along with lasagna and some kind of treat.
I rushed to the lunchroom and sat down to eat.
I unlatched my lunchbox and, to my surprise,
found caviar, soufflé, and mini meat pies.
I blinked for a minute, then had to conclude
I’d grabbed the wrong lunch with some other kid’s food.
I jumped from the table and, snapping the lid,
I raced around searching for that other kid.
I found him. He said, “This is your lunch. That’s mine.”
They shared the same Zombie Bananas design.
I said, “You like Zombie Bananas? No way!”
He answered, “Of course! We should meet up and play!”
And that’s how a simple mistake, in the end,
turned into the way that I made a new friend.
— Kenn Nesbitt
Welcome, poetry lovers and teachers! It is time once again for this week’s Children’s Poetry Blog Post Roundup, summarizing the latest news, creative lessons, and inspiring ideas from around the world of children’s poetry over the past week.
Every so often, a poetry collection comes along that reminds me just how broad children’s poetry can be. Some poems make you laugh out loud. Some capture moments of family life with startling accuracy. Some tell stories. Some play with language. And some quietly sneak up on you and leave an emotional mark you weren’t expecting.
Sarah Ziman’s brand-new collection, Bison Rule, OK!, arriving this August from Otter-Barry Books, manages to do all of those things in a single volume.
“Benjamin Blink Drank Invisible Ink” is one of the funny poems from my upcoming collection, “The Greatest Book of Poetry Ever Written by Kenn Nesbitt.” The book will be released on October 13, 2026 in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions. You can pre-order the Kindle edition now here:
If you enjoyed this poem, please give the video a 👍 on YouTube, subscribe to my channel, and click the notification bell so you won’t miss future poems, readings, and book updates. Thanks for watching!
Welcome, fellow poets, teachers, and lovers of verse! It is time once again for our weekly Children’s Poetry Blog Post Roundup, bringing you a comfortable collection of the latest news, poems, and reflections from around the children’s poetry community over the past week.
I have a new book coming out in a couple of months! Take a look!
I’m thrilled to finally share some exciting news… After more than 25 years of writing poems for children—and publishing more than two dozen books—I’m releasing my biggest collection ever! The Greatest Book of Poetry Ever Written by Kenn Nesbitt will be published on October 13, 2026, and the Kindle edition is available for preorder today!
So… Why is it called “The Greatest Book of Poetry Ever Written by Kenn Nesbitt”?
The Greatest Book of Poetry Ever Written by Kenn NesbittCelebrate the upcoming release of The Greatest Book of Poetry Ever Written by Kenn Nesbitt! In this special episode, Kenn shares the story behind his biggest poetry collection yet… a “greatest hits” volume featuring 120 of his favorite poems from across his career, including 18 poems appearing in print for the very first time.
Learn why this book is especially meaningful to Kenn, hear about the wonderful illustrations by Rafael Domingos, and discover why a heartfelt endorsement from Jack Prelutsky makes this release one he’ll always treasure.
Plus, enjoy an exclusive reading of a brand-new poem from the collection, “The Pirate of Pickletown.”
Pre-order the Kindle edition here: https://kennn.com/greatestebook
The paperback and hardcover editions will be released on October 13, 2026.
