The best way to build a love of poetry is to browse slowly through a number of poetry books, stopping to read what catches your eye, and meandering back to savor again what rings in your ear. General anthologies, which contain poems by many different poets, are excellent places to turn browsers loose to wander. They allow readers to become acquainted with a variety of poets and develop a sense of what appeals to them.
Anthologies are indispensable to teachers and librarians who want to immerse students in poetry.
Collect several to have a wealth of poetry close at hand. The title, A Jar of Tiny Stars , is based on a poem by Lilian Moore, who says that if you catch a firefly and keep it in a jar, you will find that you have lost a tiny star. It is difficult to talk objectively about a book I edited myself, but it is a book I love. They always tell me about Shel and Jack. I want them to recognize the poets who are acknowledged by professionals as the best writers of poetry for children.