Famous Children Poems - Page 3

41 - 60 of 62 Poems

  1. 41. Friends

    Famous Poem


    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.

    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.

    The Sunshine flickers through the lace
    Of leaves above my head,
    And kisses me upon the face
    Like Mother, before bed.

    The Wind comes stealing o'er the grass
    To whisper pretty things;
    And though I cannot see him pass,
    I feel his careful wings.

    So many gentle Friends are near
    Whom one can scarcely see,
    A child should never feel a fear,
    Wherever he may be.

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 23488
    • Favorited 27
    • Votes 2004
    • Rating 4.12
    • Poem of the Day
    Featured Shared Story

    No Stories yet, You can be the first!

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (0)

  2. Advertisement

    Advertisement

  3. 42. Morning Prayer

    Famous Poem

    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.

    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.
    Such vows are easier to keep
    When a child is sound asleep.
    Today, O Lord, for your dear sake,
    I'll try to keep them when awake.

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 1
    • Shares 1996
    • Favorited 19
    • Votes 329
    • Rating 4.12
    • Poem of the Day
    Featured Shared Story

    He did an amazing job on this poem.

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (1)

  4. Advertisement

    Advertisement

  5. 43. Foreign Lands

    Famous Poem

    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.

    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.

    I saw the next door garden lie,
    Adorned with flowers, before my eye,
    And many pleasant places more
    That I had never seen before.

    I saw the dimpling river pass
    And be the sky's blue looking-glass;
    The dusty roads go up and down
    With people tramping in to town.

    If I could find a higher tree,
    Farther and farther I should see,
    To where the grown-up river slips
    Into the sea among the ships;

    To where the roads on either hand
    Lead onward into fairy land,
    Where all the children dine at five,
    And all the playthings come alive.

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 159
    • Favorited 1
    • Votes 17
    • Rating 4.12
    Featured Shared Story

    No Stories yet, You can be the first!

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (0)

  6. 44. Let Me Out Of The Class

    Famous Poem

    Some students don’t enjoy being in school. They would like to be practically anywhere else. However, there are still some places that make the classroom not seem so bad. What is worse than being in school? Famous poet Kenn Nesbitt always knows how to make his readers laugh with his humorous children’s poetry.

    (sing to the tune of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game")

    Let me out of the classroom.
    Let me out of the school.
    I’m not so good at geography.
    I would rather be watching T.V.

    It’s still twenty minutes till recess.
    Lunch is hours away.
    Won’t you please, please, please get me out
    of the class today?

    Someone’s here with a note now.
    Teacher’s calling my name.
    He says my mother is right outside.
    I should go and she’ll give me a ride

    to my yearly dentist appointment.
    I forgot it’s today!
    Teacher please, please, please help me out.
    Won’t you let me stay?

    “Let Me Out of the Classroom” copyright © 2007 Kenn Nesbitt. All Rights Reserved. Published in Revenge of the Lunch Ladies. Reprinted by permission of the author. www.poetry4kids.com

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 252
    • Favorited 1
    • Votes 78
    • Rating 4.12
    • Poem of the Day
    Featured Shared Story

    No Stories yet, You can be the first!

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (0)

  7. 45. The Owl And The Pussy-Cat

    Famous Poem

    The Owl and the Pussycat was first published in 1871 in the book "Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany and Alphabets", by Edward Lear (1812-1888). Lear played many musical instruments and often performed his poetry with music at social gatherings.

    The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
       In a beautiful pea-green boat,
    They took some honey, and plenty of money,
       Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
    The Owl looked up to the stars above,
       And sang to a small guitar,
    "O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love,
        What a beautiful Pussy you are,
             You are,
             You are!
    What a beautiful Pussy you are!"

    Pussy said to the Owl, "You elegant fowl!
       How charmingly sweet you sing!
    O let us be married! too long we have tarried:
       But what shall we do for a ring?"
    They sailed away, for a year and a day,
       To the land where the Bong-Tree grows
    And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood
       With a ring at the end of his nose,
                 His nose,
                 His nose,
       With a ring at the end of his nose.

    "Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
       Your ring?" Said the Piggy, "I will."
    So they took it away, and were married next day
       By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
    They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
       Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
    And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
       They danced by the light of the moon,
                 The moon,
                 The moon,
    They danced by the light of the moon.

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 2377
    • Favorited 9
    • Votes 173
    • Rating 4.10
    • Poem of the Day
    Featured Shared Story

    No Stories yet, You can be the first!

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (0)

  8. 46. The Fisherman

    Famous Poem

    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.

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

    His life is strange ; half on the shore
    And half upon the sea --
    Not quite a fish, and yet not quite
    The same as you and me.

    The fisherman has curious eyes ;
    They make you feel so queer,
    As if they had seen many things
    Of wonder and of fear.

    They're like the sea on foggy days, --
    Not gray, nor yet quite blue ;
    They 're like the wondrous tales he tells
    Not quite -- yet maybe -- true.

    He knows so much of boats and tides,
    Of winds and clouds and sky !
    But when I tell of city things,
    He sniffs and shuts one eye !

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 1
    • Shares 3650
    • Favorited 9
    • Votes 804
    • Rating 4.10
    • Poem of the Day
    Featured Shared Story

    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.

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (1)

  9. 47. Bed In Summer

    Famous Poem

    Most children have an early bedtime. In the winter it’s not a problem for them to fall asleep, because it gets dark early, but summer makes it difficult. With more daylight, children long to be able to play until the sun dips far below the horizon.

    In Winter I get up at night
    And dress by yellow candle light.
    In Summer, quite the other way,
    I have to go to bed by day.
    I have to go to bed and see
    The birds still hopping on the tree,
    Or hear the grown-up people's feet
    Still going past me in the street.
    And does it not seem hard to you,
    When all the sky is clear and blue,
    And I should like so much to play,
    To have to go to bed by day?

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 3519
    • Favorited 18
    • Votes 301
    • Rating 4.09
    • Poem of the Day
    Featured Shared Story

    No Stories yet, You can be the first!

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (0)

  10. 48. Nest Eggs

    Famous Poem

    Birds flutter and quarrel in the laurel tent, where a brown nest cradles four blue eggs. We watch as the mother diligently keeps them warm, ensuring the safety of her tiny babies. Soon, the eggs will hatch, filling the April woods with joyful songs. The young birds will take flight, while we, older and wiser, continue our earthly journey. Though we may speak wisely, we must accept our limitations, walking while they soar high above in the beech tree's embrace. Stevenson's "Nest Eggs" captures the fleeting beauty of nature and reminds us of the cycles of life.

    Birds all the sunny day
        Flutter and quarrel
    Here in the arbour-like
        Tent of the laurel.

    Here in the fork
        The brown nest is seated;
    Four little blue eggs
        The mother keeps heated.

    While we stand watching her
        Staring like gabies,
    Safe in each egg are the
        Bird's little babies.

    Soon the frail eggs they shall
        Chip, and upspringing
    Make all the April woods
        Merry with singing.

    Younger than we are,
        O children, and frailer,
    Soon in blue air they'll be,
        Singer and sailor.

    We, so much older,
        Taller and stronger,
    We shall look down on the
        Birdies no longer.

    They shall go flying
        With musical speeches
    High over head in the
        Tops of the beeches.

    In spite of our wisdom
        And sensible talking,
    We on our feet must go
        Plodding and walking.

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 91
    • Favorited 0
    • Votes 25
    • Rating 4.08
    Featured Shared Story

    No Stories yet, You can be the first!

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (0)

  11. 49. What Is Pink?

    Famous Poem

    This is a color poem that captures the beauty in the natural world. Color is all around us, from a rose and a poppy to the clouds and sky.

    What is pink? A rose is pink
    By the fountain's brink.
    What is red? A poppy's red
    In its barley bed.
    What is blue? The sky is blue
    Where the clouds float through.
    What is white? A swan is white
    Sailing in the light.
    What is yellow? Pears are yellow,
    Rich and ripe and mellow.
    What is green? The grass is green,
    With small flowers between.
    What is violet? Clouds are violet
    In the summer twilight.
    What is orange? Why, an orange,
    Just an orange!

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 2
    • Shares 6199
    • Favorited 9
    • Votes 344
    • Rating 4.08
    • Poem of the Day
    Featured Shared Story

    This was a poem I learned at school in my elocution lessons in the early 1960s. It was recited at the end of term and if deserved, a certificate was awarded. The Covid-19 outbreak means I am...

    Read complete story

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (2)

  12. 50. Maggie And Milly And Molly And May

    Famous Poem

    Just like other poems by E.E. Cummings (1894-1962), standard punctuation and capitalization rules are not followed in this poem. While at the surface, this can be a lighthearted poem about four children playing on the beach, there is a much deeper meaning about who we are as people. Just like the girls in this poem, when we step out into nature, we are bound to find new things and learn new things about ourselves. This poem is lyrical, and the alliteration of each girl’s name beginning with “m” adds to the rhythm.

    maggie and milly and molly and may
    went down to the beach(to play one day)

    and maggie discovered a shell that sang
    so sweetly she couldn’t remember her troubles,and

    milly befriended a stranded star
    whose rays five languid fingers were;

    and molly was chased by a horrible thing
    which raced sideways while blowing bubbles:and

    may came home with a smooth round stone
    as small as a world and as large as alone.

    For whatever we lose(like a you or a me)
    it’s always ourselves we find in the sea

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 1511
    • Favorited 0
    • Votes 140
    • Rating 4.06
    Featured Shared Story

    No Stories yet, You can be the first!

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (0)

  13. 51. Rathers

    Famous Poem

    Mary Austin was an American writer who lived from 1868-1934. Many of her writing pieces have a natural element, and she was strongly involved in movements to preserve Native American arts and culture. In this poem, Austin shares about animals she would choose to be if she didn't have to be herself, and she gives descriptions of them that are presented in a sing-song tone.

    I know very well what I'd rather be
    If I didn't always have to be me!
    I'd rather be an owl,
    A downy feathered owl,
    A wink-ity, blink-ity, yellow-eyed owl
    In a hole in a hollow tree.
    I'd take my dinner in chipmunk town,
    And wouldn't I gobble the field mice down,
    If I were a wink-ity, blink-ity owl,
    And didn't always have to be me!

    I know very well what I'd like to do
    If I didn't have to do what I do!
    I'd go and be a woodpecker,
    A rap-ity, tap-ity, red-headed woodpecker
    In the top of a tall old tree.
    And I'd never take a look
    At a lesson or a book,
    And I'd scold like a pirate on the sea,
    If I only had to do what I like to do,
    And didn't always have to be me!

    Or else I'd be an antelope,
    A pronghorned antelope,
    With lots of other antelope
    Skimming like a cloud on a wire-grass plian.
    A bounding, bouncing antelope,
    You'd never get me back to my desk again!

    Or I might be a puma,
    A singe-colored puma,
    A slinking, sly-foot puma
    As fierce as fierce could be!
    And I'd wait by the waterholes where antelope drink
    In the cool of the morning
    And I do
                  not
                        think
    That ever any antelope could get away from me.

    But if I were a hunter,
    A red Indian hunter -
    I'd like to be a hunter, -
    I'd have a bow made of juniper wood
    From a lightning-blasted tree,
    And I'd creep and I'd creep on that puma asleep
    A flint tipped arrow,
    An eagle feathered arrow,
    For a puma kills calves and a puma kills sheep,
    And he'd never eat any more antelope
    If he once met up with me!

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 2626
    • Favorited 12
    • Votes 541
    • Rating 4.00
    • Poem of the Day
    Featured Shared Story

    No Stories yet, You can be the first!

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (0)

  14. 52. The Tree Outside

    • By Annette Wynne

    Famous Poem

    In "The Tree Outside" by Annette Wynne, poetic techniques like personification bring the tree to life. The tree is described as standing "straight and tall" and never resting, creating an image of resilience. The tree's role in protecting the bird nests is highlighted through this personification, emphasizing its loving and caring nature. The poem beautifully captures the enduring strength and kindness of nature, forging a heartfelt connection between the reader and this steadfast tree.

    The tree outside stands straight and tall
    And never can lie down at all;
    For if it once should take a rest,
    I fear for each small swinging nest;
    And so untiredly it stands
    And holds up in its leafy hands
    The little nests; and soon and late
    I bless my good tree, tall and straight,
    I bless its kind strong loving arms,
    That hold the birds and nests from harms,
    It never does grow tired at all,
    I love you, Tree, straight, kind, and tall.

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 66
    • Favorited 0
    • Votes 6
    • Rating 4.00
    Featured Shared Story

    No Stories yet, You can be the first!

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (0)

  15. 53. If I Were King

    Famous Poem

    “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.

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

    If only I were King of Spain,
    I'd take my hat off in the rain.

    If only I were King of France,
    I wouldn't brush my hair for aunts.

    I think, if I were King of Greece,
    I'd push things off the mantelpiece.

    If I were King of Norroway,
    I'd ask an elephant to stay.

    If I were King of Babylon,
    I'd leave my button gloves undone.

    If I were King of Timbuctoo,
    I'd think of lovely things to do.

    If I were King of anything,
    I'd tell the soldiers, "I'm the King!"

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 10056
    • Favorited 16
    • Votes 1059
    • Rating 3.99
    Featured Shared Story

    No Stories yet, You can be the first!

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (0)

  16. 54. Springy Sidewalk

    Famous Poem

    What would happen if a different type of cement were to be used on sidewalks? In this amusing poem by former Children’s Poet Laureate Kenn Nesbitt, we find out the silliness that would be sure to ensue. Kenn Nesbitt’s poems have been used in hundreds of school textbooks around the world.

    The people outside on the sidewalk
    can’t seem to remain on the ground.
    They’re jumping and hopping and springing,
    and generally bouncing around.

    I’ve never seen anything like it.
    It’s such an unusual scene,
    as if they have springs in their sneakers,
    or bounce on a big trampoline.

    I think I know what may have happened
    that caused this chaotic event:
    Last week they replaced our old sidewalk
    with one made of rubber cement!

    “Springy Sidewalk” copyright © 2021 Kenn Nesbitt. All Rights Reserved. Published in The Aliens Have Landed at Our School. Reprinted by permission of the author. www.poetry4kids.com

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 164
    • Favorited 1
    • Votes 26
    • Rating 3.92
    • Poem of the Day
    Featured Shared Story

    No Stories yet, You can be the first!

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (0)

  17. 55. A Riddle

    Famous Poem

    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?

    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,
    Half the answer hangs upon a thread.

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 1
    • Shares 1364
    • Favorited 9
    • Votes 366
    • Rating 3.87
    Featured Shared Story

    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)

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (1)

  18. 56. Won't You?

    Famous Poem

    A Funny Valentine's day Poem for Kids By Shel Silverstein. Have you ever wished for a girl but she's already taken, or even worse, she's not taken but she hates you? Well, a message from this poem is, take comfort you're not the only one.

    Barbara's eyes are blue as azure,
    But she is in love with Freddy.
    Karen's sweet, but Harry has her.
    Gentle Jane is going steady.
    Carol hates me. So does May.
    Abigail will not be mine.
    Nancy lives too far away...
    Won't you be my Valentine?

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 731
    • Favorited 4
    • Votes 255
    • Rating 3.77
    • Poem of the Day
    Featured Shared Story

    No Stories yet, You can be the first!

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (0)

  19. 57. Theme In Yellow

    Famous Poem

    Carl Sandburg was an American poet who lived from 1878-1967. This poem captures the beauty and fun of fall from the perspective of a pumpkin. Halloween can be a spooky holiday, but this poem brings attention to the harmless activity of searching for the right pumpkin with children and then carving a funny face on it for Halloween night.

    I spot the hills
    With yellow balls in autumn.
    I light the prairie cornfields
    Orange and tawny gold clusters
    And I am called pumpkins.
    On the last of October
    When dusk is fallen
    Children join hands
    And circle round me
    Singing ghost songs
    And love to the harvest moon;
    I am a jack-o’-lantern
    With terrible teeth
    And the children know
    I am fooling.

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 1252
    • Favorited 2
    • Votes 122
    • Rating 3.69
    Featured Shared Story

    No Stories yet, You can be the first!

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (0)

  20. 58. Allie

    Famous Poem

    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.

    Allie, call the birds in,
      The birds from the sky.
    Allie calls, Allie sings,
      Down they all fly.
    First there came
    Two white doves
      Then a sparrow from his nest,
    Then a clucking bantam hen,
      Then a robin red-breast.

    Allie, call the beasts in,
      The beasts, every one.
    Allie calls, Allie sings,
      In they all run.
    First there came
    Two black lambs,
      Then a grunting Berkshire sow,
    Then a dog without a tail,
      Then a red and white cow.

    Allie, call the fish up,
      The fish from the stream.
    Allie calls, Allie sings,
      Up they all swim.
    First there came
    Two gold fish,
      A minnow and a miller's thumb,
    Then a pair of loving trout,
      Then the twisted eels come.

    Allie, call the children,
      Children from the green.
    Allie calls, Allie sings,
      Soon they run in.
    First there came
    Tom and Madge,
      Kate and I who'll not forget
    How we played by the water's edge
      Till the April sun set.

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 1
    • Shares 713
    • Favorited 2
    • Votes 205
    • Rating 3.65
    Featured Shared Story

    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...

    Read complete story

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (1)

  21. 59. Prairie-Dog Town

    Famous Poem

    Mary Hunter Austin was born in 1868 and died in 1934. This poem, like much of her writings, focuses on nature and animals.

    Old Peter Prairie-dog
    Builds him a house
    In Prairie-Dog Town,
    With a door that goes down
    And down and down,
    And a hall that goes under
    And under and under,
    Where you can't see the lightning,
    You can't hear the thunder,
    For they don't like thunder
    In Prairie-Dog Town.

    Old Peter Prairie-Dog
    Digs him a cellar
    In Prairie-Dog Town,
    With a ceiling that is arched
    And a wall that is round,
    And the earth he takes out he makes into a mound.
    And the hall and the cellar
    Are dark as dark,
    And you can't see a spark,
    Not a single spark;
    And the way to them cannot be found.

    Old Peter Prairie-Dog
    Knows a very clever trick
    Of behaving like a stick
    When he hears a sudden sound,
    Like an old dead stick;
    And when you turn your head
    He'll jump quick, quick,
    And be another stick
    When you look around.
    It is a clever trick,
    And it keeps him safe and sound
    In the cellar and the halls
    That are under the mound
    In Prairie-Dog Town.

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 610
    • Favorited 4
    • Votes 154
    • Rating 3.47
    Featured Shared Story

    No Stories yet, You can be the first!

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (0)

  22. 60. Candy Andy

    Famous Poem

    Candy Andy enjoys candy so much that he tries to find any way to get it.

    Hello, my name is Andy.
    I’m a fan of eating candy.
    It’s delicious and it’s dandy,
    and my favorite thing to eat.

    When I want some sweets for eating,
    I’ll be at your door repeating
    that fantastic, famous greeting…
    I’ll be shouting, “Trick or treat!”

    I’ll be dressed up like a mummy,
    out in search of something yummy,
    like a chocolate bar or gummi.
    I’ll be marching door-to-door.

    And, as long as you have dishes
    full of candy so delicious
    it can satisfy my wishes,
    I’ll keep coming back for more.

    You might think I’m being sneaky,
    or perhaps a little cheeky,
    and some people say it’s freaky,
    and they often ask me why…

    And they tell me that it’s cheating
    to be on their doorstep beating
    on the front door, trick-or-treating,
    in the middle of July.

    “Candy Andy” copyright © 2021 Kenn Nesbitt. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted by permission of the author. www.poetry4kids.com

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 0
    • Shares 59
    • Favorited 0
    • Votes 10
    • Rating 3.40
    Featured Shared Story

    No Stories yet, You can be the first!

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (0)

41 - 60 of 62 Poems

Back to Top