Development of Poetry for Children and

their Poem-Makers

Contents:
 Discuss the progress of the poetry for children
 Determine the writers of different poems

What is poetry?
- a literary work in which special intensity is given to the
expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive
style and rhythm; poems collectively or as a genre of
literature.
- the development has been irregular but in the order of
appearance most of the writers of the present inherited
from the past and each in his own way tried to sing the
songs of childhood in key with the spirit of the child and
the spirit of the times.
- early poems has parallel development with prose like
for example "Robinson Crusoe, Gulliver's Travel and
Pilgrims Progress."

Poem-makers:
 William Blake (1957-1827)
- first of the important writers in Children's Poetry
according to him, "Children were not little sinners to be
warned and frightened, but were the unspoiled
handwork of Divine Love."
- noted for his originally of rhythm and stanza and the
fitness of his rhythms to the spirit of his songs.
Notable works:
Songs of Innocence (1789)
Songs of experience (1794)
Cradle Song
The Lamb

 Ann And Jane Taylor (1782-1866) (1783-

1824)
- wrote didactic stories centered on morality
- they were the first to write poems exclusive for
children
WORKS:
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
I Like Little Pussy and Pretty Cow

 Edward Lear (1812-1888)

- Book of Nonsense- first published book contained
most of his delightful poems in limerick.
- he has the ability to center all ages at once in his work
for his verse were entertaining to both young and adult.
WORKS:
The Owl and the Pussy Cat
Mr. and Mrs. Spickly Sparrow
The table and The Chair
Nonsense Alphabet
The Jumblies and many others

 Christina Rosette (1830-1894)

- wrote very little poems for children
- master of musical language
- "Goblin Market and Other Poems"
- "Sing-Song"- little nursery poems with pure lyrics
- she used figures of speech and presented children
experiences
- used direct and simple childlike sensory

 Celia Laighton Thaxter (1835-1894)

- earliest American writer of verse for children.
- Mrs. Thaxter is especially noted for her many beautiful
and truthful picture of birds and their way in stories and
poem.
- first published in 1883 which included such as poem as
" The Sparrow", "The Sandpiper", and "The Wind
Goose".

 Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)

- Occupied a unique place as a writer for
children; he was considered as a first true poet
"laureator" of children. His book, " A Child
Garden of Verses", was not only regarded as a
classic but it represented as a standard of a
style and quality for all other writer of
children's poetry.

 Laura Elizabeth Richards (1850-1943)

- Author of the Battle Hymn of the Republic,
was not only a poet but also a musician. She
published several collections of songs and
rhymes as well as story which she contributed
exclusively to the St. Nicholas, the leading
magazines for children.

 Walter Dela Mare (1873-1956)

- Published song of childhood, his first collection
of poem. This is followed by a child day in
1912, Peacock pie, his best known collection in
1913 and the Down-in-Down Derry. A book of
fairy tales and poems published in 1922.
  Rose Fyleman (1877)
- Has been affectionately called "poet of the
fairies", her first book of poem for children's
fairies and chimneys was published in 1918.
Her poem had sense of mystery and
enchantment in them which are enjoyed by
children.

Other poem-makers:
 ALAN ALEXANDER ( 1882-1956)
 RACHEL FIELD ( 1884-1942)
 DOROTHY ALDES (1897)
 ELIZABETH MADOX ( 1886-1941)
 DORITHY WALTER BARUCH (1899)
 MYRA JOHN LIVINGSTONE
 MARY ANNE HOBERMAN
 JOHN CLARDI

REFERENCES:

https://www.academia.edu/36246694/Unit_1_Lesson
_1_THE_PLACE_OF_LITERATURE_IN_A_CHILDS_LIFE