National Poetry Month 2025: FAMILY
“Pitter-pat. Drip drop. Dot-a-dot.”
The rhythm and beat of April showers is a perfect time to enjoy poetry with children, plus April just so happens to be National Poetry Month as well.
Founded by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, National Poetry Month is celebrated every April in recognition of poets’ integral role in our culture and to highlight that poetry matters. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K–12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary event curators, publishers, families, and—of course—poets, marking poetry’s important place in our lives.
This year’s theme is FAMILY— family in its many forms: found and chosen family, birth family, and family that defies categorization. This April, turn to poetry to celebrate, cherish, mourn, critique, and explore the myriad bonds that family forms in our lives.
The Academy of American Poets suggests exploring the shape of family in your life now, witnessing the intergenerational impact of ancestors, and considering the role of family in generations to come.
As part of this year’s celebration, the Academy of American Poets is offering a FREE poster based on the poem “Gate A-4” by former Young People’s Poet Laureate Naomi Shihab Nye with artwork by New York Times-bestselling author and illustrator Christy Mandin.
You can get a FREE copy by ordering here by April 14th or download the PDF version here.
Along with the poster and poem, The Academy of American Poets also put together a FREE lesson plan using the Teach This Poem methodology, so teaching poetry in your classroom this month couldn’t be easier.
P.S. Don’t forget: Poem in Your Pocket Day is April 10th this year! Visit the Poem Farm and write with Amy Ludwig Vanderwater as she takes on the mask of Little Red Riding Hood.
