Looking for the perfect poems to celebrate National Poetry Day?

Looking for the perfect poems to celebrate National Poetry Day? Well if so National Poetry Day has rounded up a selection of must-read titles for adults and children - so you can pick up a book and start enjoying great poetry today!

New Poetry Books for Adults

Let’s start with the Adult category. Rich, thoughtful, and full of insight, these books are perfect for reading groups, poetry fans, or anyone looking to be moved and inspired by modern poetry in the UK today.

Versus Versus edited by Rachel Boast

A vibrant anthology featuring poems by 100 deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent poets. that brings together a wide range of poetic voices, Versus Versus both challenges misrepresentations while exploring love, pain, solidarity,the climate emergency, and much more.

New Cemetery by Simon Armitage

UK’s Poet Laureate makes peace with the dead in this highly imaginative and wide-ranging new collection as he reflects on a graveyard, exploring personal loss, nature’s shifts, and lockdown’s impact through luminous, wry poems rooted in landscape.

The Face in the Well by Rebecca Watts

This third collection from award-winning poet Rebecca Watts explores childhood, desire, conflict, and the self with vibrant, witty poetry. Challenging the male poetic canon, it weaves homages to female role models like Sylvia Plath and Emily Brontë with beautiful poems that confront love, war, mortality, and complex human relationships.

The Forward Book of Poetry 2026

A must-have for poetry lovers, this annual anthology gathers the most outstanding contemporary poems from across the UK and Ireland.

New Poetry Books for Children

Fancy something for the kids? We’ve got recommendations for them too, over at LoveReading4Kids.

A Poem For Every Question by Brian Bilston

Say hello to a hilarious, non-fiction adventure in 100 poems—covering everything from science and animals to unicorns, pyramids, technology, and more! Brian’s witty, memorable poems answer curious questions with wit and heart, each paired with fun fact-explainers. Vibrant illustrations by Joe Berger bring every page to life.

Harriet Tubman, Force of Nature by Caroline Brewer

Say hello to a powerful, poetic journey through the true story of Harriet Tubman—freedom fighter, forest-walker, and fearless leader. With vibrant collage and dazzling verse, Caroline Brewer shows how Harriet’s bond with nature and unbreakable spirit helped her escape slavery and guide hundreds to freedom. History comes alive—one bold, beautiful line at a time!

...And I Hear Dragons edited by Hannan Issa

Issa, the National Poet of Wales, celebrates the rich Welsh history of poetry with this marvellous anthology for ages 8–12. Illustrated by Eric Heyman, it celebrates Welsh children as brave “mythical beasts,” tackling discrimination, pollution, and identity while embracing Wales’ spirit of hospitality.

Off They Go! by James Carter

Join a fun, rhyming exploration of nature’s most fascinating migrations—from emperor penguins and leatherback turtles to salmon and humpback whales. Carter’s lively verse blends poetry and fact, with Latin names, locations, and fascinating migration details. James Munro’s playful illustrations make this poetic journey perfect for ages 3–7.

Pocket Book of Pocket Poems by A.F. Harrold

Carnegie-nominated poet A.F. Harrold brings you a pocket-sized treasure of laugh-out-loud poems—each under 60 words. Perfect for ages 8+, these silly, imaginative verses cover school shenanigans, hens laying coconuts, and more. Jack Viant’s lively illustrations make this a perfectly portable poetry collection to read anywhere, anytime.

Press Start to Play by Sam Gayton

Carnegie-nominated author Sam Gayton delivers a hilarious, interactive poetry collection celebrating play—video games, board games, word games, even “feeling sad” games. Packed with inventive poems and Jack Noel’s energetic illustrations (plus a flicker-book twist), this is the ultimate poetry adventure for gamers and word lovers alike.

This Is Not a Small Voice: Poems by Black Poets edited by Traci N. Todd

A landmark anthology—the first UK multi-poet collection by Black poets for children. Featuring works from Lucille Clifton, Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, Amanda Gorman, Benjamin Zephaniah, and more, this vibrant, illustrated book celebrates hope, pride, music, and family. A timeless gift for readers aged 7+.

I Hear The Trees by Zaro Weil

Step into a vibrant world of over 60 nature poems, where wolves howl, berries bamboozle, beets shine ruby-bright, and tiny haiku mice dash for safety. Zaro Weil’s playful, lyrical verses celebrate Earth’s wonders, brought to life by Junli Song’s enchanting illustrations. With activity notes to spark young poets, this collection captures the magic, humour, and heart of the natural world.

What is National Poetry Day?

National Poetry Day is an annual celebration on the first Thursday of October that encourages everyone to discover, share, and enjoy poetry. In 2025, it falls on Thursday, October 2nd, with the theme of "Play". The event, coordinated by the Forward Arts Foundation, includes activities in schools, libraries, and community spaces, and provides free resources for teachers and the public.

For more information visit https://forwardartsfoundation.org/national-poetry-day/