Poem Makers

• Children and adolescent literature

  Poem & The poem-makers
• Unknown: '"I wish I were a fish swimming in the sea but a fish in a dish I never wish to be."'
• Development of poetry


  From our earliest moments, we're surrounded by poetry in the form of nursery rhymes, storybooks and singalongs
• We may not understand poetry in an academic sense, but we appreciate it on an emotional level
• Benefits of poetry for children

  • Bringing joy to kids
  • Helping them understand patterns
  • Enriching their vocabulary
  • Enhancing retention skills
• Ready to get the poetry train rolling?
• Dr. Isaac Watts


  • Published his Divine and Moral Songs Children in 1715
  • Believed that morals and religion could be directly taught through hymns and songs
• Dr. Isaac Watts' works

  • A Cradle Hymn
  • Against Lying
  • Against Evil Community
  • Examples of Early Piety
• Jane Taylor


  • Born in 1783, in England
  • Wrote many poems and stories for children with her sister Ann
  • Their work mixed fun and lessons, making kids smile while also teaching them something valuable
• Jane Taylor's notable works

  • The little Girl to her Dolly
  • The Star
  • Come and play in the Garden
  • About learning to read
  • No Breakfast for Growler
  • Poor Children
• Jane Taylor: 'The Baby's Dance'
• Jane Taylor: 'The Star'
• William Blake


  • First of the important English poets to write poetry for children
  • Noted for his originality of rhythms and stanza patterns
  • Believed that poetry and art should go together
• William Blake's printing method

  • Relief etching to create books where his poems and art were perfectly combined
• William Blake's notable works

  • Songs of Innocence
  • Songs of Experience
  • Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright
  • The Chimney Sweep
  • The Little Black Boy
  • Holy Thursday
• Edward Lear


  • Had no literary forerunner, was simply himself
  • Gifted young English artist who made colored drawings of birds and was employed to draw pictures
  • Skilled musician, composer, and writer
  • Known for his limericks and nonsensical poetry
• Edward Lear's notable works

  • There was an Old Man with a beard
  • There was a Young Lady whose bonnet
  • The Owl and the Pussy Cat
  • Mr. and Mrs. Spikly Sparrow
  • The Table and the Chair
  • The Duck and the Kangaroo
  • Nonsense Alphabet
  • The Jumblies
  • The Broom, the Shovel, the Poker and the Tongs
• Christina Rossetti


  • Born in London in 1830, grew up in an artistic family
  • Poems known for emotional depth and vivid imagery
  • Some poetry written for children, capturing the wonder and innocence of childhood
• Christina Rossetti's notable works

  • Sing-Song: A Nursery Rhyme Book
  • Who Has Seen the Wind?
  • Hurt No Living
• Maya Angelou


  • Marguerite Annie Johnson, born in 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri
  • Faced many challenges in her childhood, including being speechless for 5 years
  • Wrote poems about love, hope, and the strength of the human spirit
• Maya Angelou's notable works


  • Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie
  • Still I Rise
  • Phenomenal Woman
• Maya Angelou


  Marguerite Annie Johnson, born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri
• Maya Angelou's childhood was filled with many challenges. Her parents separated when she was young, and she had to move to a small town in Arkansas to live with her grandmother
• When Maya was just eight years old, she faced a terrible event that left her speechless for five years
• Maya Angelou grew up to become one of the most famous poets and writers in the world
• Maya Angelou's poems


  • Often talked about love, hope, and the strength of the human spirit
  • She had a special way of writing that made her words come alive and touch the hearts of people who read them
• Robert Louis Stevenson


  A famous writer born in 1850, in Edinburgh, Scotland
• Robert Louis Stevenson had a knack for sparking the imagination of both kids and grown-ups around the world
• Laura Elizabeth Richards


  Born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1850, grew up in a home filled with creativity
• Laura's mother, Julia Ward Howe, wrote the famous words to the song "Battle Hymn of the Republic" (aka "Glory, Glory Hallelujah" or "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory")
• Laura E. Richards' poems

  • Full of fun and whimsy, with a rhythm and rhyme that made them a joy to read aloud
  • She had a special talent for seeing the world through the eyes of a child, filling her works with fun, adventure, and a touch of magic
• Myra Cohn Livingston


  An extraordinary poet and educator born on August 17, 1926, whose commitment to children's poetry created a rich legacy
• Myra Cohn Livingston was more than just a poet and educator; she was a tireless advocate for children's poetry
• Myra Cohn Livingston's belief about poetry

  Poetry was an essential part of children's education, offering not just entertainment but also a profound understanding of language, rhythm, and emotions
• John Ciardi


  A poet, translator, and educator born on June 24, 1916, in Boston, Massachusetts, who dedicated his life to the exploration and celebration of language
• Ciardi's children's poetry is characterized by its humor, playfulness, and accessibility, which have made his work a favorite among both young readers and educators
• Ciardi's poems spark curiosity and creativity, inviting children to explore the wonders of language and the world around them
• Robert Frost


  A beloved American poet born on March 26, 1874, in San Francisco, California, who wrote not only for adults but also for kids