If we could float in a paper boat,
we’d rock and bob on the turquoise sea,
I would sing for you in Imaginese
so painted whales rise from the deep.
If we could float in a paper boat,
I’d call flotillas of butterflies
to flutter and bumble across the sky
past clouds where dreamy creatures fly.
Could you imagine this was true?
This is what I wish we’d do.
IMAGINE THIS by Jeanette Swan
Artwork: YOU ARE HERE by Hayley Gillespie
You have teeth inside your head,
To help you chew and
Swallow your food,
So as you won’t drop dead.
That is what I said.
Some people with teeth inside their head,
Can take them out at night
And put them in a glass beside the bed,
Before they catch some zeds.
What a wonderful privilege
To have teeth inside your head.
And if you can remember
To keep your gums from turning red,
Your teeth shall stand you in good stead.
Other beasts also have teeth inside their head.
Some from which I’ve fled.
Like the snake, several dogs and a horse named Fred.
I enjoy having teeth inside my head.
I aim to keep them there.
And if I do,
I will be well fed.
But if I don’t,
My fate I’ll no doubt dread.
For to a dentist I’ll be led.
You Have Teeth by Marque Dobrow
Image by Pixabay
One day I opened my wardrobe
and all the junk fell out!
Ten pairs of filthy shoes
and a half-eaten Brussels sprout.
There were socks that smelled really gross,
some old underpants and a book,
and in a plastic lunchbox,
I found the remains of a chook.
A football my dog had chewed,
a tube of cream for my zits,
a few dead flies and a lizard,
and a shirt that no longer fits.
Such a disgusting mess —
I didn’t know what to say.
Back into the wardrobe it went,
To be sorted another day!
Image from Pixabay
Hello, human,
how do you do?
Today’s my day
to write to you.
I’m a bird,
but I don’t have wings.
I have flippers —
very handy things!
I can fly through water
in search of fish.
A nice fresh squid
is my favourite dish.
Some of us are blue,
others black and white;
when we come ashore
we make a great sight.
We hope you’ll always
be our friend —
keep the oceans clean
from end to end!
With waddling wishes,
A penguin
Image from Pixabay
I’ve got a kite
whose tail’s quite white.
It’s strong and light
in colours bright.
With wind just right
my kite gains height.
The string’s pulled tight.
My kite’s in flight!
But my delight
soon turns to plight
when wind-gusts bite
with forceful spite
and push my kite
with such great might
the string can’t fight
and snaps in fright.
My falling kite’s
no more in flight
and lost to sight
as day turns night.
Image by Pixabay
Crash, bang, wallop
I’m starting up a band
Crash, bang, wallop
my drum stick hits the pan.
Crash, bang, wallop
it’s great to make a noise
Crash, bang, wallop
beats playing with my toys.
Crash, bang, wallop
my pan lid cymbals smash
Crash, bang, wallop
I love to yell and bash.
Crash, bang, wallop
it’s really going well
Crash, bang, wallop
this is music – can’t you tell?
Image from Pixabay
These mussels come from the sea,
they’re not in a leg or an arm.
They’re very fresh and tasty,
and their shells are part of their charm.
Dig into the the bowl for a feast,
and eat a dozen or two;
the only muscles you’ll need
are the ones that help you chew.
Image from Pixabay
Did you call me a grasshopper?
No way; I’m a cricket.
I’m one of two hundred eggs
my mum laid in the soil.
Do you reckon I look
like a mini-adult?
Sure I do because I shed my skin
as I grow and get a new one.
Notice I don’t fly much at all?
Why? Because I can’t––
my wings are too small.
See, I jump, jerk my way around.
Notice the tooth-like bits on my wings?
Only males have them. Listen, I can
rub them together. Hear a chirping sound?
It attracts the cricket chicks.
Ever heard me chirping at night?
That’s because I’m a nocturnal guy
and coldblooded so I liven up in the warm.
I’m warm now––hear me chirp.
Look out, here comes a lizard!
Hide me––I don’t want to be its snack.
Or a frog’s, a big spider’s or a tortoise’s.
Me, I love yummy fungi, plants, insects.
See my fancy compound eyes?
They let me look in many directions at once.
Check out my antennae, my feelers––
they pick up movement, help me catch prey.
Japanese and Chinese people reckon
I bring good luck. So make sure you’re nice to me.
Image from Pexels by Johnny Mckane
Hello, puppy, what’s your name?
Where did they find you?
Have you come to live at my place,
or are you passing through?
I got here first, I make the rules,
so set them in your head:
never ever eat my food,
and don’t sleep in my bed!
This emu is fine,
obeying the sign,
doing no more than forty.
To run any faster
could spell disaster
and would be very naughty.
Teacher’s note: This photo was captured near Wilsons Promontory where many emus roam in the wild.
Australian Children’s Poetry 