Bow wow, I’ve been a good boy,
For Christmas I’d like a bone.
A bone that’s big and juicy,
A bone I can call my own.
Santa, Santa, I’ve been good,
Look — here’s a ball for the tree.
Come on, Santa, I’m your friend,
There’s no better dog than me!
Category Archives: Australian children’s poetry
“Christmas Tree Temptation” by Toni Newell
Leave a commentThey looked so very tempting,
The ball-balls on the tree,
Bright and multi coloured,
They were inviting me.
Some sparkled, others shiny,
Just hanging on the tree,
I jumped up and grabbed one,
And hid it happily.
I was alone in the house,
So, I stole another one,
I added it to my pile,
This was so much fun.
I jumped up for a third attempt,
When I heard the door,
My family stood in front of me,
Whilst I crashed to the floor.
“Billy Joe, you naughty dog”,
My owner yelled at me,
“How dare you take the ball-balls off,
Our beautiful Christmas tree”.
I bowed my head with regret,
And all that they could see,
Was the ball-ball in my mouth,
They laughed and patted me.
“Holiday Capers” by Julie Cahill
Leave a commentHolidays again?’asked a mum in perplexed doubt
‘I thought the children just went back to school
but that’s a nought.’
Nanny, on the otherhand says ‘bring the holies on-
Bring the children to our home
for as long as long is long
We’ll cut and paste; colour in; take the dog for walks
We’ll paint, and fill the pavements with hopscotch drawn with chalks
We’ll take the kiddies to the zoo
and feed the baby goats
We’ll feed the hungry children too;
wipe down their fed-up coats
We’ll feed the kids with snacks and treats
before we send them home
Nanny time repays my own, for blaming Mister gnome
But at the end of every day
with grandies in our care
We’ll reminise; thank sheer good luck;
be grateful you are there.’
“Christmas Trees” by Toni Newell
Leave a commentChristmas Trees
Let’s buy Christmas trees,
That last forever,
Made of wood or plastic,
Or anything clever.
Let’s save living trees,
Being cut down in their prime,
Just to serve a purpose,
For a very short time.
It seems such a waste,
To kill a tree that is living,
When there are many alternatives,
Which are far more forgiving.
“I Want What’s Mine” by Marque Dobrow
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Here I am, your faithful pet,
Where’s my gift? Ain’t got it yet!
Surely something waits for me
Underneath the Christmas tree.
Part of the family, loyal friend,
Stick beside you till the end.
A chewy bone would bring me joy,
Or did you buy a squeaky toy?
Maybe you got me a cushy rug,
To sleep beside you, safe and snug.
Come on people, please let me know.
Perhaps a Frisbee is the go!
Then again, your hard-earned dollar
Could have paid for a brand new collar.
I might need help to unwrap the paper,
But I sure love this Christmas caper.
And so, I finally wake and yawn;
At long last it is Christmas morn.
All the children laugh with glee.
Presents galore – but nothing for me?
I’ve been so good all year long,
I surely have done nothing wrong.
But then I hear a familiar noise;
It is not bones or rugs or toys.
How did you hide this precious gift?
It runs at me with movements swift.
Another dog with which to play!
This is the greatest Christmas Day.
“The Miracle Tree” by Bill Condon
Leave a commentTHE MIRACLE TREE
We bought a tree from the corner shop –
bargain price for being dead.
We took it home and straight away,
stuck an angel on its head.
We tizzed it up with twirly bits,
and one bright shiny star.
Then we turned on the fairy lights
and the Christmas tree went
‘Ahhhhh.’
“Christmas Patience” by Kylie Covark
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Over in the corner,
Underneath the tree,
There’s a shiny silver present
That is wrapped up just for me.
It’s been teasing me and taunting
For almost one whole week.
I’ll unpick a tiny corner,
And I’ll take a tiny peek.
The sticky tape is tricky,
So, I’ll rip a little more.
Then I’ll put it back right after
Just the way it was before.
Oh no! I’ve pulled too hard!
Silver paper’s on the floor!
My present is exposed
And my mum is at the door!
She’ll be super-duper angry!
And Santa will be too!
He’ll put me on the bad list –
Although it isn’t true…
I really am a good kid;
My Nan says I’m a joy!
I only wanted one small peek
At my new Christmas toy.
My only hope right now
If I stay completely still,
Then my mum won’t know I’m there.
She steps into the room,
And she cries out, ‘You’re so silly!’
I think that I’ve been caught,
But she’s staring straight at Mille!
Patience is a virtue?
I don’t agree with that.
Check all your presents early
And then blame it on the cat!
Australian Children’s Poetry 