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Out Loud

Poems Aloud: An anthology of poems to read out loud

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Poems are made to read OUT LOUD!An illustrated anthology of poems, designed to be read aloud.

40 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 4, 2020

20 people are currently reading
106 people want to read

About the author

Joseph Coelho

86 books71 followers
Joseph Coelho is a British poet and children's book author who was elected Children's Laureate in 2022.

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5 stars
39 (28%)
4 stars
60 (43%)
3 stars
27 (19%)
2 stars
8 (5%)
1 star
3 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Natalie  all_books_great_and_small .
3,131 reviews169 followers
December 12, 2019
I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read and review in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

This book is a fantastic guide for children to teach them how to read poetry and express themselves in a way that fits the type of poetry they are reading.
The poems in the book are lovely and the art work is bright and eye catching too.
Profile Image for Mathew.
1,560 reviews219 followers
April 26, 2020
A lovely bite-sized anthology of poetry from Joseph Coelho and illustrated by Daniel Gray-Barnett. Poems Aloud celebrates the fact that poems are there, for the most part, to be performed and the book suggests a range of methods and approaches in which to do so. From riddles to tongue twisters, Coelho - pitching at a child reader but which teachers/parents would benefit from - invites a range of approaches in which to perform each poetic device.

Gray-Barnett's illustrations burst with energy and makes the most of the generous space and size afforded to him by the size of the book - image and word share an equal space here rather than pictures squeezing around the text's border. All in all enjoyable - I just wanted more poems.
Profile Image for Becky B.
9,333 reviews184 followers
November 8, 2023
An illustrated collection of poems with instructions of how to perform each one provided.

We often ask children of a certain age to memorize and perform poetry, but I've never seen a poetry book that also gives tips on how to do a poetry performance. I liked that aspect of the collection. There's a variety of different styles of poetry included, and the illustrations go with them well. Given the picture book format and short length, I was expecting something aimed at lower grade readers, but the vocabulary in here is quite impressive at times (cerise, vainglorious, and ossified for a few examples) so middle graders are a better target audience.

Notes on content: One poem is about an explorer discovering odd bones that scare them and make them run away and get scratched up on cacti. There's a couple drops of blood and bones in the illustrations.
6 reviews
Read
June 23, 2023
Lovely poems and children asked to have these instead of class story at reading times during the day. Kept children engaged as they are designed to be listened to.
9,006 reviews130 followers
December 3, 2019
A colourful book of new children's poems that don't seem all that brilliant, but that are given with guidance to reading them out loud – giving them the requisite oomph and/or control, and the diction so many youngsters are supposed to lack. I don't think many of them are exactly 'keepers' beyond that laudable intent, however – for every "Something Wondrous" with its charming ending is a "comedy" poem about hide and seek that just isn't funny. So for me, while this didn't move out of the classroom to be home entertainment, it will still certainly work to provide lesson and recital-practice material. The rating reflects that purpose.
Profile Image for Annabel Peet.
125 reviews1 follower
December 5, 2021
A lovely collection of poems, and adding extra information at the beginning of a lot of them gives a great educational opportunity amongst the fun poems. This would be great for teaching children about the huge variety of poems and different ways of writing. Really fun illustrations as well!
Profile Image for Leah Horton.
409 reviews18 followers
January 9, 2020
This is such a fun book. All of the poems were fun and had beautiful illustrations to go along with them. There were poems written in so many different styles. Not only are you enjoying a poem, you’re learning about different types of poetry.
Profile Image for Jeimy.
5,620 reviews32 followers
December 31, 2019
These would be great in a classroom!
12 reviews
June 8, 2024
Reading "Poems Aloud" by Joseph Coelho, with illustrations by Daniel Gray-Barnett, was an enchanting experience for both my 6-year-old and me. This delightful collection of poems is designed to be read out loud, making it a perfect choice for interactive reading sessions.

From the very first poem, my child was entranced by the rhythmic words and vibrant illustrations. Coelho's playful language and clever rhymes brought each poem to life, while Gray-Barnett's colorful and whimsical artwork added an extra layer of fun and engagement. My 6-year-old loved pointing out the details in the pictures and asking questions about the poems.

What made "Poems Aloud" particularly enjoyable was its interactive nature. The book includes prompts and tips on how to read each poem, encouraging different voices, expressions, and even movements. This turned our reading time into a lively performance, full of giggles and dramatic flair. It was heartwarming to see my child not just listening to the poems but actively participating in the experience.

The variety of poems in the book kept our interest piqued. From silly and humorous verses to more thoughtful and reflective ones, there was always something new and exciting on each page. My child had a few favorites that we read over and over again, each time discovering something new and delightful.

Reading "Poems Aloud" together became a cherished part of our day, sparking creativity and a love for language. The book's emphasis on vocal expression and performance helped my child develop confidence in reading aloud and an appreciation for the beauty of poetry. It’s a fantastic addition to our bookshelf, one that we’ll return to time and time again.

If you're looking for a book that combines the joy of reading with the fun of performance, "Poems Aloud" is a must-have. Highly recommended for young readers and their parents who love to share the magic of words and art together.





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Book Review: "Poems Aloud" by Joseph Coelho and Daniel Gray-Barnett

Reading "Poems Aloud" by Joseph Coelho, with illustrations by Daniel Gray-Barnett, was a wonderful experience for my 6-year-old and me. This lively collection of poems is perfect for interactive reading.

My child was captivated by the rhythmic words and vibrant illustrations. Coelho's playful language and clever rhymes, paired with Gray-Barnett's whimsical artwork, brought each poem to life. The book includes prompts on how to read each poem, encouraging different voices and expressions, which turned our reading sessions into fun performances filled with laughter.

The variety of poems kept us engaged, from silly verses to thoughtful ones. My child had a few favorites that we read repeatedly, discovering new delights each time. This book helped develop my child's confidence in reading aloud and fostered a love for poetry.

"Poems Aloud" is a fantastic addition to our bookshelf, perfect for young readers and parents who enjoy sharing the magic of words and art. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Barbara Band.
809 reviews19 followers
June 25, 2020
Written by Joseph Coelho and illustrated by Daniel Gray-Barnett, this is an absolute delight of a book. It's premise is that "poems are for reading aloud" and it contains tongue-twisters and riddles alongside performance poetry.

There are plays on words and sounds, tips to help you bring the poems to life and techniques to help you build your confidence. All with bright, vibrant and amusing illustrations. The contents page has a key indicating poems that are "hot" (one chilli) or "extra hot" (two chillies) - highlighting those that may have difficult words or themes so you can build up to them.

Impossible to choose a favourite; the Chilly Chilli with its clever use of homophones? Speedy Rocket that you have to read as fast as you can? This Bear (this heavy bear, this happy bear, this home bear) with its slower reading pace and soft gentle pages depicting a glowing sunset? the Shockadile Crocodile that encourages audience participation? or Say How You Feel, a poem that engenders children to explore their emotions?

Each page reveals a new delight. For anyone who has had the pleasure of watching Joseph Coelho perform, the vibrancy of this book will come as no surprise. Definitely one for every library, every classroom and everyone who loves to read aloud …
Profile Image for Curtis.
51 reviews1 follower
December 9, 2019
I was an early reader as a child. Reading by the age of 4. I couldn’t get enough. First it was the Macguffy readers and then we moved to the Childcraft books which I devoured. I can still quote som of the poems and riddles. The rhymes and limericks are stuck in my head. It introduced me to a new style of reading and even writing.
This poetry book is for children and teaches not only styles but voice. Poetry was meant to be read aloud and acted out. It is a fun book for kids and the kid at heart. Great for a classroom or homeschool group. Learn to practice voice and dictation, rhythm and rhyme. And you’ll have some fun while doing it too! My 4 year old and my 17 year old had fun reading this one as well.
Thanks to the vendor for a free ebook to review. The book was free but the opinion is my own and not a requirement of the vendor.
Profile Image for Eleanor.
137 reviews
November 29, 2022
In this very engaging introduction to poetry for young readers, Coelho incorporates musical terminology like diminuendo and crescendo to thoughtfully teach readers how to use pace, volume, and tone to create atmosphere and expression while reading. Wonderfully-interactive in design, readers are also encouraged to create their own voices when reading short poems identifying particular animals or emotions that people might feel. A very creative and colorful collection, this title is well-suited for children ages 5-10, would make a fantastic teaching tool for a speaking unit on poetry, and would be an excellent addition to every library.
2,714 reviews9 followers
January 23, 2020
This anthology of poems by Joseph Coehlo is designed for elementary school aged children to read aloud.  The poet has included poems that illustrate concepts, for example homophones, diminuendo, speaking quickly or speaking slowly.  There are also action poems, poems that are meant to make one laugh and more.  Throughout, the book has amusing illustrations. Hopefully children will enjoy picking up this one and will have fun reciting as they learn. 


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Marlou Klijn.
693 reviews24 followers
December 14, 2019
This book was provided to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

What a wonderful way to showcase all of these cute poems!

Writing: The poems were decent. Not all very good, but I'm not a lover of poetry per se. Children will love these little poems and parents won't mind reading them I'm sure.

Illustrations: The art was incredibly cute. Every poem got its own art that has something to do with the theme of the poem. It was really tastefully done. My favorite art piece was on the page of the poem The Bear. I love me some good sunset colors.

This book gets three stars from me, because I didn't enjoy all of the poems and some of the art wasn't as popping as the rest which didn't make the book feel as a whole.
Profile Image for Gita Swasti.
323 reviews40 followers
January 6, 2024
This is a poetry book that, if possible, could be read in an audiobook version. I read it in digital format, borrowed for free from the British Council Library. When the first poem already showed that it deserved to be sung, I found myself reciting the poems one by one, LOL.

Joseph Coelho also provides instructions for each poem. This book would be perfect for working with children in groups and encouraging them to think about the language and how they could perform the poems.
Profile Image for Amy Hodges.
325 reviews6 followers
January 9, 2020
This is the perfect poetry book for elementary aged children. It introduces them to a variety of poems and explains how to read them. The vividness of the illustrations will draw the reader in while the humorous writing keeps them reading. I can't wait to purchase a copy and read it with my students during National Poetry Month in April.
214 reviews4 followers
January 27, 2020
With it's bright pictures and advice on how to perform, this book would be an excellent introduction to performance poetry for young children.
As an adult I didn't find the poems particularly funny or engaging, however I'm sure for a child just learning about poetry this would be a great place to start.

With recommendations on volume, rhythm and pacing, children could use this book as a starting point for performing and perhaps writing their own poems.

I received an eARC of this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jess Smiley.
Author 24 books42 followers
January 12, 2020
A wonderful, joyous celebration of poetry in the written and spoken word. Ranging from tongue-twisters to alliteration to rhymes and more, Poems Aloud is a fantastic book for young readers who already love language or who don’t yet know how playful and enlightening words can be.
Profile Image for Ruth Ann.
2,039 reviews
October 25, 2021
This book offers many different types of poems and brief but creative guidance on how to perform the poems.
The poems are not appealing to me. I love the instructions - like for The Shockadile Crocodile and audience participation.
Profile Image for Summer.
18 reviews2 followers
October 28, 2022
A great book with poems for various occasions and to be read aloud in different ways.
Profile Image for Carly Marsden.
29 reviews
October 3, 2023
A great collection of poems, which showcase riddles, tongue twisters, homophones and more! I loved the message behind the book, which is to perform poems.
Profile Image for The Academic Princess.
31 reviews
January 29, 2024
I read these to the children over winter break, and they were really attentive. They loved hearing them. Great book!
Profile Image for Paulina ෂ.
701 reviews
July 24, 2024
Muy buen acercamiento no sólo a la poesía, sino al bello arte de la interpretación y dramatismo de la forma más bella que existe: el juego.
Profile Image for Veronika.
150 reviews2 followers
March 16, 2025
An excellent collection of poems to perform aloud, to play with emotions, words and voice, alone or to engage friends or an audience. Very funny! Recommended!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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