Poems for Halloween Plus

We�re breaking weather records for warm days here in Texas with the temperature hitting 90 degree today. Ugh. We�re all ready for cooler Fall weather here, especially with Halloween and November right around the corner. So, to get in the spirit, I thought I�d share a list of poems about superstitions, beliefs, luck, magic, dreams, and nightmares from my book, The Poetry Teacher�s Book of Lists. I�ve even updated the list to add a few recent titles. Enjoy!

Poetry Books about Superstitions, Beliefs, Luck, Magic, Dreams, and Nightmares

Many works of poetry promote a sense of wonder. These titles focus especially on the world of superstitions, beliefs, luck, magic, dreams and nightmares-- all interpreted in a variety of ways.

Alarc�n, Francisco X. 2005. Poems to Dream Together/ Poemas para Sonar Juntos. New York: Lee & Low.

Berry, James. 1991. Isn�t My Name Magical?:  Sister and Brother Poems. New York:  Simon & Schuster.

Clayton, Dallas. 2012. Make Magic! Do Good! Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

Corcoran, Jill. Ed. 2012. Dare to Dream� Change the World. San Diego, CA: Kane Miller.

Cushman, Doug. 2012. Pigmares. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

Cyrus, Kurt. 2013. Your Skeleton is Showing: Rhymes of Blunder from Six Feet Under. Ill. by Crab Scrambly. New York: Disney/Hyperion.

Denton, Graham. 2006. Silly Superstitions. London: Macmillan Children's Books.

Field, Edward. 1998. Magic Words: Poems. San Diego, CA: Gulliver Books/Harcourt Brace.

Grimes, Nikki. 2000. Shoe Magic. New York: Orchard.

Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Ed. 2009. Sky Magic. Ill. by Mariusz Stawarski. New York: Dutton.

Hughes, Langston. (75^th anniversary edition) 2007. The Dream Keeper (and seven additional poems). New York: Knopf.

Kennedy, X.J. 1989. Ghastlies, Goops, & Pincushions: Nonsense Verse. New York: McElderry.

Larios, Julie. 2008. Imaginary Menagerie: A Book of Curious Creatures. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Lewis, J. Patrick and Yolen, Jane. 2012. Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs. Ill. by Jeffrey Timmins. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

Mado, Michio. 1998. The Magic Pocket. New York: McElderry.

Medina, Jane. 2004. The Dream on Blanca�s Wall. Honesdale, PA: Boyd�s Mill Press.

Prelutsky, Jack. 1976/1993. Nightmares: Poems to Trouble Your Sleep. New York: Greenwillow. Reprinted, New York: Mulberry Books.

Schertle, Alice. 1999. A Lucky Thing. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.

Schwartz, Alvin. 1992. And the Green Grass Grew All Around: Folk Poetry from Everyone. New York: HarperCollins.

Sidman, Joyce. 2013. What the Heart Knows: Chants, Charms & Blessings. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Whipple, Laura. Ed. 1996. Eric Carle�s Dragons, Dragons. New York: Philomel.

Winters, Ben H. 2013. Literally Disturbed: Tales to Keep You Up at Night. Penguin/Price Stern Sloan.

Wong, Janet S. 1994. Good Luck Gold and Other Poems. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books.

Wong, Janet S. 2003. Knock on Wood: Poems about Superstitions. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books.

Wong, Janet S. 2000. Night Garden:  Poems from the World of Dreams. New York:  Margaret K. McElderry

Yolen, Jane. 1996. Sacred Places. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.

And for a list of specifically Halloween-themed poetry books, check out my previous post about Halloween poems here.

And if you know of any additional titles for me to add, please let me know!

Image credits: policemag.com;superstitionsof.com;gigabiting.com;melikedesign.com

Posting by Sylvia M. Vardell � 2014. All rights reserved.