Author: Kenn Nesbitt

Kenn Nesbitt, former U.S. Children's Poet Laureate, is celebrated for blending humor and heart in his poetry for children. Known for books such as "My Cat Knows Karate" and "Revenge of the Lunch Ladies," he captivates young readers globally.

Celebrate Read Across America

An Ode to Reading

March is a pretty special month for book lovers! That’s because it’s when we celebrate Read Across America, a nationwide reading celebration that encourages kids to dive into the wonderful world of books. It’s a time to make reading fun, exciting, and something everyone can enjoy. But what exactly is Read Across America, and why do we celebrate it?

A Birthday Party for Reading!

Read Across America started way back in 1998, organized by the National Education Association (NEA). That means it’s been around for over 25 years! The idea behind it was simple: to get kids excited about reading. The kickoff date, March 2nd, was chosen because it’s also the birthday of one of the most beloved children’s authors of all time: Dr. Seuss! While the focus has grown to include diverse authors and stories, the core goal remains the same: to inspire a love of reading in children of all ages.

While March 2nd is the official day, Read Across America is really celebrated all month long! Schools, libraries, and community centers across the country host special events, book readings, and activities to get kids hooked on books. Think of it as a giant, month-long birthday party for reading!

Happy Birthday, Laura E. Richards

The Hilarious Children’s Poet You Need to Know

Did you know that poets have birthdays, too? It’s true! And today, we’re celebrating the birthday of a very special poet named Laura E. Richards. She was born a long, long time ago, but her poems are still loved by kids (and grown-ups!) all over the world.

Laura E. Richards

So, who was Laura E. Richards, and why am I making such a fuss? Well, she wasn’t just any poet. She was a poet who understood how to make kids laugh. She filled her poems with silly words, funny situations, and characters that you just couldn’t help but like. She wrote all kinds of books, but today we’re going to peek into the world of her giggle-inducing poems!

Tirra Lirra: Rhymes Old and New

Tirra Lirra: Rhymes Old and New by Laura E. Richards

One of my favorite books by Laura E. Richards is Tirra Lirra: Rhymes Old and New. It’s a fun collection of silly and playful poems, filled with catchy rhythms and lively characters. This collection includes many of the “greatest hits” poems she had written throughout her life, plus a bunch of new ones. The best part? They’re the kind of poems that make you want to read them out loud, sing along, or even make up your own! If you love poems that are funny, musical, and full of imagination, this book is a great way to celebrate Laura E. Richards’ birthday.

Eletelephony

Let’s take a look at Richards’ most famous poem: “Eletelephony.” Have you ever heard of an elephant who tried to use the telephone? Probably not, but that’s what makes this poem so hilarious!

Unlock Your Inner Poet: How Make-Believe Fuels Creative Writing

Have you ever looked up at the clouds and seen a dragon, or imagined your bedroom turning into a pirate ship? That’s the amazing power of make-believe! It’s not just for playtime; make-believe is super important for learning, growing, and especially, for writing poetry. Poetry lets you take those daydreams and turn them into something real, something you can share with the world. Think of your mind as a playground full of amazing toys—make-believe helps you use them all!

Why Poetry Loves Make-Believe

Poetry is like a magic trick. You take ordinary words and arrange them in a way that makes them sparkle and shine. Make-believe helps you find those sparkly words! When you pretend, you’re not limited by what’s real. You can imagine a dog who talks, a purple pet unicorn, or a street covered in cakes and pies! These kinds of wild ideas are perfect for poems. Don’t be afraid to let your imagination run wild, even if it sounds silly. The silliest ideas often make the best poems.

Poetry for Everyone: Accessible Editions of My Books

Reading Braille

Did you know that several of my poetry collections are available in accessible formats? If you or someone you know prefers large print, dyslexic-friendly text, DAISY audiobooks, or even Braille editions, you can find them through ReadHowYouWant.

Reading should be for everyone, and I love that my books can reach more kids—especially those who may have trouble with traditional print formats. Whether a child needs bigger text, an easier-to-read font, or an alternative format, these editions make it possible to enjoy the same silly, laugh-out-loud poems that kids everywhere love.

A Festival for Frogs Large Print Edition

Here’s the full list of available books:

Random Andy by Kenn Nesbitt Random Andy

Welcome to Poetry4kids. I’m Kenn Nesbitt.

A publisher recently asked me to write a fun poem for first graders that would help build phonemic awareness—the ability to hear, recognize, and play with sounds in words. They wanted something that would show how syllables and sounds can be changed, moved around, and combined in new ways. I had a great time coming up with silly word mashups and actually wrote several different poems for them.

In the end, the publisher chose to publish one of the other poems I wrote, but I liked this one so much that I decided to share it on my website for kids to enjoy. After all, playing with words is one of the best ways to learn how they work! What kind of fun, mixed-up words can you come up with? This is…

Random Andy

Random Andy makes up things
by sticking words together.
Today he made a flowercow
and then a picklefeather.

He also made some candypants.
He made some airplanetrees.
He made some donutdragonflies
and bluebananabees.

He made a monkeytoothbrush
and a corncobcoffeecup.
If you made things like Random Andy,
what would you make up?

— Kenn Nesbitt

Poetry for Preschoolers

The Magic of Simple Rhymes for Early Literacy

Mother Goose Treasury

There’s something magical about poetry for young children. The rhythm, the repetition, the silly sounds—it all comes together to make language fun and memorable. Before kids ever learn to read, they develop an ear for language, picking up patterns and sounds that will help them later on. Poetry, especially short rhymes, plays a huge role in this early learning process.

For preschoolers, poetry is all about the joy of words—clapping along to a rhyme, giggling at a funny phrase, or shouting out the next rhyming word before they even know how to spell it. That’s why simple rhymes are so valuable for early literacy. They make language playful and engaging while secretly building important reading skills.

How Rhymes Build Early Literacy

I've Started Getting Younger by Kenn Nesbitt I’ve Started Getting Younger

Welcome to Poetry4kids. I’m Kenn Nesbitt.

Have you ever dreamed about not getting any older and just staying young forever? I know I had that thought once or twice when I was a kid. But what if that wish actually came true—but not in the way you expected? This poem plays with the idea of aging in reverse, turning what might seem like a fun, magical experience into something a little more alarming!

I love writing poems that take an ordinary idea, like making a birthday wish, and turning it into something unexpected. This one also has a playful connection to classic stories like Peter Pan (who, along with the Lost Boys, never grows up) or The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (about a man who ages in reverse) but with a humorous twist. It’s a reminder to be careful what you wish for… and maybe to think twice before blowing out those birthday candles! This is…

I’ve Started Getting Younger

I’ve started getting younger.
I’m aging in reverse.
Although that might sound awesome,
there may be nothing worse.

Last week I was eleven,
but now I’m only eight.
Tomorrow I’ll be seven.
I’m frightened of my fate.

Next week, if this continues,
I won’t know how to talk,
and pretty soon won’t even
remember how to walk.

They’ll put me back in diapers
and after that, I fear,
while drinking from my bottle,
I might just disappear!

This started on my birthday.
Without a moment’s doubt,
I wished to not grow older
and blew the candles out.

I never share my wishes,
but now I’m telling you,
because I’m really hoping
my wish does not come true.

— Kenn Nesbitt

Valentine’s Day Poetry for Kids: Celebrating Friendship, Fun, and Heartfelt Humor

Valentine's Day Poetry for Kids

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! While this holiday often brings to mind heart-shaped chocolates, bouquets of flowers, and romantic cards, for kids, it’s something a little different. Valentine’s Day is about sharing kindness, celebrating friendships, and, of course, enjoying lots of candy! One of the best ways to mark the occasion is through poetry. Whether it’s writing a silly poem for a best friend, crafting a heartfelt verse for a family member, or reading some laugh-out-loud rhymes, poetry is a perfect fit for Valentine’s Day.

Our Teacher's Valentine by Kenn Nesbitt Our Teacher’s Valentine

Welcome to Poetry4kids. I’m Kenn Nesbitt.

Valentine’s Day was coming up, and I had been trying for days to think of something funny to write about—but nothing seemed quite right. Then, in the middle of the night, I woke up from a sound sleep with the ending of this poem suddenly clear in my head. I grabbed my phone from the nightstand, quickly jotted down the idea, and went right back to sleep. The next morning, when I looked at what I had written, I still thought it was a good idea, so I sat down and finished the poem.

Sometimes coming up with ideas is easy, and sometimes it takes a little longer. But there’s no need to get frustrated. Just remember that it’s important for writers to have a way to capture ideas whenever they appear—whether it’s a notebook, a phone, or even just a scrap of paper. And remember, you don’t always have to write a poem or story in order! If the ending comes to you first, like it did for me, you can start there and work your way backward. Inspiration doesn’t always follow a straight line, but when it strikes, be ready to catch it!

Without further ado, here is…

Our Teacher’s Valentine

The students in our classroom
made a Valentine today,
a giant heart on cardboard,
out of pink and purple clay.

We added beads and buttons
to our beautiful design,
then covered it with glitter
to ensure that it would shine.

We gave it to our teacher
to express how much we care,
to tell her that we like her
and we’re glad to have her there.

She said it was a masterpiece.
She said it made her day.
She placed it in a picture frame
to put it on display.

She told us we were brilliant
as she hung it on the wall,
like art on exhibition in
some gallery or hall.

It’s nice to know our teacher thinks
we’re talented and smart.
We’re glad we made her happy with
our little work of heart.

— Kenn Nesbitt

I Am a Cow

Welcome to Poetry4kids. I’m Kenn Nesbitt.

The first time I ever saw a cow, I was about three years old. My father took me to a dairy farm, and I remember standing right next to a wooden fence, face to face with a huge cow. I was completely surprised! For many years afterward, my dad loved to tell the story of how I looked up at him and asked, “What do they do to us?”—a question that still makes me laugh today.

While most of my poems are written for kids ages 8 and up, this time I wanted to write something for younger readers, especially Kindergarten students. “I Am a Cow” is a simple and playful poem that encourages curiosity, observation, and comparison. It’s written from the perspective of a cow who is just as puzzled about people as we might be about animals. I hope young readers enjoy thinking about the differences—and maybe even a few similarities—between cows and themselves!