A Child's Book of Poems

It offers a flexible way to share poetry rather than a single sustained story: a child can encounter rhythm, rhyme, humour, imagery and different poetic voices in short or longer readings. The illustrations provide a second route into the collection.

Some poems are described as more serious than typical young-children’s anthologies, and one named example explores sadness and longing. Seasonal, folk and older literary pieces may also invite brief explanation of unfamiliar words or references.

Which poems feel playful, strange, beautiful or sad, and what do the pictures add? If a poem’s language or feeling is unfamiliar, what possible meanings can you find together without needing one final answer?

Read selectively rather than cover-to-cover: invite the child to choose a picture, sound or topic, then alternate lively short pieces with a longer poem. Revisit favourites and pause when an image, mood or unfamiliar expression prompts discussion.