Famous Children Poems - Page 2

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  1. 21. Listen To The MUSTN'TS

    Although Shel Silverstein (1930-1999) wrote poetry for young children, adults can glean many lessons from his pieces. This poem is filled with lessons on dreaming and persevering. Don’t allow others to get you down, because in the end, anything is possible.

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    Listen to the MUSTN'TS, child,
    Listen to the DON'TS
    Listen to the SHOULDN'TS
    The IMPOSSIBLES, the WONT'S

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    I love this poem because I have been writing love letters to my two teenagers and eight year old for fifteen years reminding them of what they shouldn't.

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  3. 22. Homework Stew

    Making homework stew is not quite what the teacher had in mind. This funny children’s poem shows what can happen when we mishear something. Famous poet Kenn Nesbitt writes humorous poetry for children, and he served as the Children’s Poet Laureate from 2013-2015.

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    I cooked my math book in a broth
    and stirred it to a steaming froth.
    I threw in papers—pencils, too—
    to make a pot of homework stew.

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    I loved this poem because I loved how it said "I sprinkled up my book report". When at the end the teacher said "Your quite a chef but you get a F, I did not say homework stew, I said...

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  5. 23. The Shut-Eye Train

    This famous whimsical poem by Eugene Field (1850-1895) is the perfect children’s poem to read at bedtime. The descriptive language of this fantastical train ride transports readers from reality to a land of imagination as they drift off to sleep.

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    Come, my little one, with me!
    There are wondrous sights to see
    As the evening shadows fall;
    In your pretty cap and gown,

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    Hadn't come across this one before. Not quite as good as "Wynken, Blynken and Nod," but excellent for the period and a precursor to more recent sleepy time travel poems and songs.

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  6. 24. Elaine The Complainer

    Have you ever known someone who complains a lot? It’s not enjoyable to be around them. This poem teaches children (and all of us) a lesson about what happens when we complain about every little thing. Famous poet Kenn Nesbitt uses humor to write poems for children, but poems like this one are also filled with important life lessons.

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    My name is Elaine
    and I like to complain.
    Complaining is all that I do.
    I moan when it’s hot

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    I hope Elaine learns her lesson! Her story is so silly!

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  7. 25. The Land Of Nod

    This poem captures the uniqueness of dreaming. At night, we are given a chance to escape from our reality and be present in an entirely different world. Even though it feels real, it cannot be fully explained or located outside of sleep.

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    From breakfast on through all the day
    At home among my friends I stay,
    But every night I go abroad
    Afar into the land of Nod.

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    It's a simple yet great poem. We cannot ignore the importance of sleeping and dreaming. Dream big and try hard to achieve it.

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  8. 26. Morning Prayer

    Ogden Nash was an American poet who lived from 1902-1971 and was known for his light verse. This poem captures the honesty of a child who has a difficult time behaving during the day. It’s much easier when he’s sleeping. It’s a reminder to all of us to look for new opportunities presented each day.

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    Now another day is breaking,
    Sleep was sweet and so is waking.
    Dear Lord, I promised you last night
    Never again to sulk or fight.

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    He did an amazing job on this poem.

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  9. 27. I'd Love To Be A Fairy's Child

    Robert Graves was an English poet who lived from 1895-1985. He became known as a war poet, and he published three books of poetry while on active duty during World War I. This poem was published the same year the war ended, and it can be felt that Robert Graves was writing about his desire for children to face an easier life, one that’s not filled with so much pain, suffering, and unmet needs.

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    Children born of fairy stock
    Never need for shirt or frock,
    Never want for food or fire,
    Always get their heart's desire:

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    Very nice poem. It deals with the aspirations of children. Childhood is the stage of innocence, and the present poem describes the same. It's lyrical, rhythmic and rhymed.

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  10. 28. The Fisherman

    Abbie Farwell Brown was an American author who lived from 1871-1927. She lived in the same house her entire life, experiencing many traditions in her New England community. Brown describes the life of a fisherman in this poem, showing how one's profession becomes such a large part of a person's life. The Rhyme Scheme is ABCB.

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    The fisherman goes out at dawn
    When every one's abed,
    And from the bottom of the sea
    Draws up his daily bread.

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    The way the poet described the life of a fisherman, his continuous effort and sacrifice to stand independent, and the powerful simile used, makes the poem a classic one.

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  11. 29. A Riddle

    Children enjoy the playful nature of words. They like to figure out riddles and laugh at jokes. Are you able to use the clues in this poem to figure out the riddle?

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    There is one that has a head without an eye,
    And there's one that has an eye without a head.
    You may find the answer if you try;
    And when all is said,

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    Pins and needles

    Try this:

    The beginning of eternity,
    The end of time and space,
    The beginning of every end,
    And the end of every place.
    -The Guess Book (c. 1820)

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  12. 30. Allie

    Robert Graves lived from 1895-1985, and he fought in the First World War. His name is engraved on a stone at Westminster Abbey as a commemoration of being a Great War poet. In this poem, Allie is asked to call in the animals and children, all of which come running as she calls and sings.

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    Allie, call the birds in,
    The birds from the sky.
    Allie calls, Allie sings,
    Down they all fly.

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    I met Sr. Graves in Deya de Mallorca in 1973. Having visited his home and met his family, he was kind to return the favor by singing this song among others that are of the repertoire of folk...

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  13. 31. Friends

    Abbie Farwell Brown was an American author who lived from 1871-1927. While attending the Girls' Latin School, she created a school newspaper, The Jabberwock, which is still being published today. In the poem "Friends," Brown shares that even things in nature can be children's friends, giving them comfort whenever they fear.

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    How good to lie a little while
    And look up through the tree!
    The Sky is like a kind big smile
    Bent sweetly over me.

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  14. 32. Tiny Little Snowflakes

    "Tiny Little Snowflakes" by Lucy Larcom is a childlike wonderment at the beauty and mystery of snowfall. The poem personifies snowflakes, imagining them as angelic creatures descending from heaven. Larcom captures the enchantment of winter through vivid imagery, describing the snowflakes as "white and spotless" doves, playfully dancing on the ground and adorning the world with a pristine blanket. The poem evokes a sense of childlike joy and curiosity about the natural world.

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    Tiny little snowflakes,
    In the air so high,
    Are you little angels,
    Floating in the sky?

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  15. 33. My Shadow

    A child tries to understand the concept of his shadow. He finds it to be a silly companion who doesn’t seem to understand how it ought to act.

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    I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
    And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
    He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;
    And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.

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  16. 34. If I Were King

    “If I Were King” is about a child dreaming of all the things he would do if he were the king. He would run the world differently than other kings by focusing on enjoyment. A.A. Milne started his writing career by writing funny articles for various magazines.

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    I often wish I were a King,
    And then I could do anything.

    If only I were King of Spain,

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  17. 35. The Blind Men And The Elephant

    John Godfrey Saxe’s poem "The Blind Men and the Elephant" retells the famous parable, using humor and rhyme to explore the nature of subjective truth and limited perspective. Through a consistent ABCBDB rhyme scheme, the poem presents six blind men, each encountering a different part of an elephant and forming wildly different conclusions—likening it to a wall, spear, snake, tree, fan, or rope. This structured storytelling and use of repetition reinforce the central theme: while each man perceives part of the truth, their inability to see the whole picture leads to flawed conclusions. The poem's reflective tone and moral at the end emphasize the importance of understanding multiple perspectives.

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    • By John Godfrey Saxe

    It was six men of Indostan,
    To learning much inclined,
    Who went to see the elephant,
    (Though all of them were blind,)

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  18. 36. The Sunshine Has A Pleasant Way

    In "The Sunshine Has A Pleasant Way" by Annette Wynne, the poet beautifully captures the uplifting and transformative power of sunlight. Through vivid imagery and a gentle rhythm, the poem portrays the sun as a source of warmth, illumination, and joy. Wynne personifies the sun, describing its ability to brighten not only the physical environment but also the faces and spirits of people. The poem expresses gratitude for the presence of sunshine, highlighting its role in inspiring productivity, happiness, and a sense of purpose. With its positive and optimistic tone, the poem encourages appreciation for the simple yet profound pleasures that sunlight brings, and the motivation it instills to embrace life with enthusiasm and dedication

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    The sunshine has a pleasant way
    Of shining on us all the day,
    It makes the little window bright,
    And fills the room with pretty light.

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  19. 37. The Sugar-Plum Tree

    “The Sugar-Plum Tree” is a perfect “bedtime story” for children about sweet treats that make up an imaginary town. Eugene Field (1850-1895) wrote “Funny Fancies,” a humorous column for the St. Louis Journal. He also became known as the “Poet of Childhood” because of his children’s poetry.

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    Have you ever heard of the Sugar-Plum Tree?
    'Tis a marvel of great renown!
    It blooms on the shore of the Lollypop sea
    In the garden of Shut-Eye Town;

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  20. 38. Each New Little Day Slips Out Of My Hand

    Annette Wynne’s poem "Each New Little Day Slips Out of My Hand" reflects on the fleeting nature of time and the contrasting experiences of good and bad days. Through simple language and a flowing rhyme scheme, Wynne captures the bittersweet cycle of days passing, with good days seeming to vanish quickly and bad days lingering. The poet uses repetition, as in "Each new little day," and imagery of holding and folding days to evoke a sense of longing to preserve joyful moments. The reflective tone and cyclical structure emphasize the inevitability of time’s passage while ending with a hopeful acceptance of each new day.

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    Each new little day slips out of my hand,
    And then with another new day I stand;
    But soon that is gone and folded away—
    I wish I might keep forever one day!

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  21. 39. Foreign Lands

    Foreign Lands by Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 -1894) takes us on a journey through the eyes of a young child climbing a cherry tree. From this elevated perspective, the child discovers the wonders of unfamiliar landscapes and sights. The neighboring garden, the flowing river, and the bustling roads leading to town all unfold before the child's curious gaze. The longing for greater heights symbolizes a yearning for broader experiences and a desire to explore the world. The poem evokes a sense of enchantment and imagination, depicting a realm where rivers meet the sea and roads lead to magical realms where playthings come alive.

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    Up into the cherry tree
    Who should climb but little me?
    I held the trunk with both my hands
    And looked abroad on foreign lands.

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  22. 40. I Can't Wait For Summer

    Children eagerly anticipate summer vacation. There are so many fun things to fill their time during those months. Waiting for summer can be difficult, especially when the school year has just begun. Poems written by former Children’s Poet Laureate Kenn Nesbitt have been used in hundreds of school textbooks around the world.

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    I can’t wait for summer, when school days are done,
    to spend the days playing outside in the sun.
    I won’t have to study. No homework, no tests.
    Just afternoons spent on adventures and quests.

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