Seeds, Bees, Butterflies, and More!: Poems for Two Voices by Carole Gerber, illustrated by Eugene Yelchin (Henry Holt & Co., 2013)

Perfect for spring, these poems for two voices introduce the “blooming, bursting, and buzzing” world of plants and insects. Students will find inspiration to write their own conversation poems for two voices based on these whimsical offerings. With poems about seed dispersal, parts of a plant, insects, pollinators, and flowers, this book would pair nicely with nonfiction such as Gail Gibbons’ From Seed to Plant.

The Poem That Will Not End: Fun with Poetic Forms and Voices by Joan Bramsfield Graham, illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker (Two Lions, 2014)

Poetry has squeezed its way into Ryan O’Brian’s ho-hum life  and once he realizes he’s been “seized by rhythmical beat”,  he goes crazy! Crazy with rhyme, that is. On the first read, kids can enjoy the energetic storyline, written as a “poem that will not end.” On a second read, have students slow down. There’s a lot happening across the pages of this book  – some 15 different poetic forms, told in one of five voices. A guide at the end of the book provides helpful information about the different forms, voices, and poetry terms, including examples of each from poems in the collection.