Reverso poems are fun to read and delightful to write. Such a fun poetry activity for kids!
Click to read also: How to Teach Writing and Storytelling
What Is a Reverso Poem?
Reverso poems are poems that can be read forwards or backwards. The meaning of the poem can change, but it needs to make sense whichever direction you read.
Reverso Poetry for Kids
My ten-year-old daughter Emma LOVES poetry, so I was intrigued when a copy of Echo Echo arrived at our door earlier this month. This picture book is featuring reverso poems about Greek myths. We haven’t read any Greek myths yet, and Emma hasn’t studied them in school either, so this her first introduction to these stories, as well as this form of poetry. She was hooked! She wrote this Reverso Poem:
| Reflect | Reflect |
| Reflecting beaming back at me myself a rough image of as I think what happened that day Reflecting myself and that day as I stare at the reflecting, deep clear blue waters rippling through the forest, a clear blue ribbon waving and rippling all through the forest. | the forest. all through and rippling waving a clear blue ribbon the forest, rippling through clear blue waters at the reflecting, deep as I stare and that day Reflecting myself what happened that day as I think a rough image of myself back at me beaming Reflecting |
I find this type of poetry challenging to write – Emma gets her poetry skill from my father, not from me. I do love seeing how the meaning of the poem changes as your read it starting at the end.
Author Marilyn Singer is quite the reverso poem expert – this is the third reverso poetry picture book she has written. Be sure to check out her first two as well! Both Mirror Mirror and Follow Follow are based on fairytales, making them more accessible to younger children.
More Poetry Fun for Kids
Here are some more fun poetry activities for your kids!
- We love The Bill Martin Jr Big Book of Poetry as a way of introducing children to a wide range of beautifully illustrated poems.
- Poetry Name Poems (Acrostic Poems) – this is one of the most accessible forms of poetry!
- Easy Poetry for Kids: Spine Poems – another very accessible form of poetry!
- 6 Poetry Types Your Child Should Master
- How to Memorize Poetry with Kids
- Paint Chip Poetry
- Free Autobiography Poem Printable
- Autumn Poetry Printables
- Solar System Poetry
- 5 Week Poetry Reading Challenge
- Writing Limericks
- Motivate Your Child to Write Poetry
- Poetry for Kids Who Don’t Like Poetry
- 8 Ways to Use Poetry to Calm Your Kids and Bring Joy to Your Daily Life
Do you have a favorite poetry activity or poetry book that we should check out?
Share comments and feedback below, on my Facebook page, or by tagging me on Instagram. Sign up for my newsletter to receive book recommendations, crafts, activities, and parenting tips in your inbox every week.
MaryAnne lives is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
I would like to win this because I think my daughter would really enjoy it.
I’d like to win this because I think that my niece would love it.
I am introducing poems to my son. He is really into how words flow right now. The plus side. He really likes Greek myths!
A great book of poem can melt the stresses away and stimulate creativity. Besides staying on the computer all day is no fun.
The pictures look beautiful! It would be a fun book to read aloud to my girls.
I would like to introduce my daughter into the power of poetry. I think this would be a perfect introduction!
I love poetry and I think my little bookworm would love this book!
Wonderful poem she wrote. I would love to win for my son. I’d love to help with poems writing
This is neat I like it.it’s different
i would like to win for my nephew!
I think it would be great for homeschooling.
I’m dying to read this one now!
My students love Mirror, Mirror and lots are interested in Greek myths. I think they’ll love the new book!
Emma is so talented!! Her poem is wonderful!
I made an error on my last entry I am following on twitter as @mzmyrtlezplace. I would love to win this book because my niece is an avid reader and would love this.
Interesting idea and the book looks beautiful.
I find the idea of reverso poems intriguing. I love Emma’s poem!
She’s really got a good ear for poetry, I on the other hand have no ability to write it and sometimes don’t “hear” it well.
My daughter would love this. She’s a big poetry fan.
Emma wrote a great poem!!! What a neat form.
Emma did well! I am very intrigued by this style. Thank you for linking to our poetry posts – you do know then our favorite poetry books, but if I were to recommend one, it would be Bill Martin Big Book of Poetry.
That is one of my favorites as well!