William Blake

 Born on November 28, 1757 in London,

United Kingdom
 Died on August 12, 1827
 English engraver, artist, poet, and
visionary
 He was the first of the important English poets
to write poetry for children.
 First poem was published in 1783 that is
entitled “Poetical Sketches”
 Most known poem is entitled “Songs of
Innocence and Experience in 1789.
•How the human mind sees the
nature of the world and its
creator. ...
•God in man's image. ...
•The child motif. ...
•The perception of children. ...
•The nature and vulnerability of
innocence. ...
•The distortion of Christian
belief about the future life.
Ann and Jane Taylor
Ann Taylor
• Born on January 30, 1782 in London
• Died on December 20, 1866

Jane Taylor
• Born on September 23, 1783 in London
• Died on April 12, 1824

• They were the first poet to write exclusively

for children.
• Their first collection of verses was
published in 1804 entitled
“original for infant minds”
• They are also the author of “twinkle,
twinkle, little star, a very famous nursery
rhyme.
The Star
BY ANN TAYLOR AND 
JANE TAYLOR

TWINKLE, twinkle, little star,

How I wonder what you are !
Up above the world so high, In the dark blue sky you keep,
Like a diamond in the sky. And often thro' my curtains peep,
For you never shut your eye,
Till the sun is in the sky.
When the blazing sun is gone,
When he nothing shines upon, 'Tis your bright and tiny spark,
Then you show your little light, Lights the trav'ller in the dark :
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. Tho' I know not what you are,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

Then the trav'ller in the dark,

Thanks you for your tiny spark,
He could not see which way to go,
If you did not twinkle so.
Edward Lear
• Born on May 12 1812 in London,
United Kingdom
• Died on January 29 1888

• At the age of nineteen, he made

colored drawings of birds for alone on
zoological society.
• His first book was published in 1846,
entitled “A book of nonsense”.
• known mostly for his literary
nonsense in poetry and prose and
especially his limericks, a form he
popularized
Ara Macao, 1835 Chimpanzee, 1835

Illustration by Edward Lear for 

There was a Young Lady of Hull
 With a ring at the end of his nose,
The Owl and the Pussy-Cat              His nose,
(1871)              His nose,
The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea    With a ring at the end of his nose
   In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of "Dear Pig, are you willing to sell
money, for one shilling
   Wrapped up in a five-pound note.    Your ring?" Said the Piggy, "I
The Owl looked up to the stars above, will."
   And sang to a small guitar, So they took it away, and were
"O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love, married next day
    What a beautiful Pussy you are,    By the Turkey who lives on the
        You are, hill.
         You are! They dined on mince, and slices of
What a beautiful Pussy you are quince,
   Which they ate with a runcible
Pussy said to the Owl, "You elegant fowl! spoon;
   How charmingly sweet you sing! And hand in hand, on the edge of
O let us be married! too long we have the sand,
tarried:    They danced by the light of the
   But what shall we do for a ring?" moon,
They sailed away, for a year and a day,              The moon,
   To the land where the Bong-Tree grows              The moon,
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood They danced by the light of the
   . moon
Christina Georgina Rosetti
• Born on December 5 1830 in London,
UK
• Died on December 29 1894

• Wrote very simple little poem for

children
• She was one of the four talented and
artistic children of Rosetti family.
• She excelled in works of fantasy, in poems
for children, and in religious poetry.
• Her very first work was “Goblin Market” (1862)
• She also wrote “Sing-song” which is a
collection of a little nursery poem.

1933 Goblin market 1st American edition
Other 26 stanzas……..
Stanza 1
MORNING and evening
Maids heard the goblins cry:
"Come buy our orchard fruits,
Come buy, come buy:
Stanza 2
Apples and quinces,
Lemons and oranges,
Plump unpeck'd cherries,
Melons and raspberries,
Bloom-down-cheek'd peaches,
Swart-headed mulberries,
Wild free-born cranberries,
Crab-apples, dewberries,
Pine-apples, blackberries,
Apricots, strawberries; -
All ripe together
In summer weather, -

Sing-song: A Nursery Rhyme Book”
Is the moon tired? she looks
so pale
Within her misty veil:
She scales the sky from east
to west,
And takes no rest.
Before the coming of the
night
The moon shows papery
white;
Before the dawning of the
day
She fades away.
Celia Laington Thaxter
• Born on June 29, 1835 in Portsmouth, U.S.
• Died Aug. 26, 1894
• She was one of the 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.
• Her first book was published in 1872 and in
an expanded edition in 1874. In 1873 she
published ”Among the Isles of Shoals”, a
collection of prose sketches. Also, includes
the “The Sparrow”, “The Sandpiper” and
the “The Wind Goose” which was published
in 1883.
 The Sparrow
In this sweet, tranquil afternoon of spring,
While the low sun declines in the clear west,
I sit and hear the blithe song-sparrow sing
His strain of rapture not to be suppressed;
Pondering life's problem strange, while death
draws near,
I listen to his dauntless song of cheer.

His shadow flits across the quiet stone:

Like that brief transit is my space of days;
For, like a flower's faint perfume, youth is flown
Already, and there rests on all life's ways
A dimness; closer my beloved I clasp,
For all dear things seem slipping from my grasp.

Death touches all; the light of loving eyes

Goes out in darkness, comfort is withdrawn;
Lonely, and lonelier still the pathway lies,
Going break, toward the fading sunset from the
dawn:
Yet hark! while those fine notes the silence
As if all trouble were some grave mistake !
et.al (4 stanzas)
Robert Louis Stevenson
• Born on November 13, 1850 in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
• Died on December 3, 1894]

• He was considered as the first poet “laureator” of children.

• Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet,
essayist, and travel writer; but he is probably best known
for the classics.
• He is best known for works such as Treasure Island
(1883), Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886) , A
Child's Garden of Verses (1885) .
• His book “A Child's Garden of Verses” was not only
regarded as a classic but it represented a standard of a
style and quality for all other writer of children’s poetry.
 A Child's Garden of Verses poems

The Land of Counterpane

The Lamplighter Bed in summer
Laura Elizabeth Richards
• Born on February 27, 1850, Boston, Massachusetts,
Untied States
• Died on January 14, 1943

• Daughter of Julia Ward Howe, author of the Battle

Hymn of the Republic.
• A poet and a musician
• She published several collections of songs and
rhymes as well as the story which she contributed
exclusively to the St. Nicholas, the leading magazines
for children.
• She wrote more than 90 books including 
biographies, poetry, and several for children
• One well-known children's poem is her 
literary nonsense verse "Eletelephony (1930)
Walter Dela Mare
• Born on April 25, 1873, 
Charlton, London, United Kingdom
• Died on June 22, 1956

•  English poet, short story writer, and novelist

• His first collection of poem is “Song of
Childhood” published in 1906. Followed by “A
Child day” in 1912, “Peacock pie”, his best
known collection in 1913 and the “Down-in-
Down Derry in 1922.
Down-in-Down Derry (1922)
.

• It is a book that contains

series of fairytale themed
poems.
Rose Fylemen
• Born on March 6, 1877 in
Nottingham, United Kingdom
• Died on August 1, 1957

• English writer and poet

• Has been affectionately called “poet of the fairies”.
• His first book of poem for children’s “fairies and
chimneys” was published in 1918.
 Fairies And Chimneys
You know the smoke from chimneys-
It often isn't smoke,

It's nothing but the fairies

Having such a joke.

Round they fly and round about,

Higher still and higher

'Dearie me,' the people say,

'A chimney on fire!'

You know the noise the wind makes

At night-time now and then

It's just those naughty fairies

At their tricks again

Sitting in the chimney

Round and round in rows,

Singing all together

And warming up their toes.

Alan Alexander Milne
• Born on January 18, 1882, 
Hampstead, London, United Kingdom
• Died on January 31, 1956

• He started his literary work by giving his full

attention to the writing of playing.
• He started writing his first book of verse when
he got married and had a son.
• He published his book of poem in 1924 under
the title of “When We Are Young”.
• His poem had delightful humor, captivating
rhythms and appealing children fancies.
• He was popular for his books about the teddy
bear Winnie-the-Pooh and children's poetry
 WATER-LILIES
Where the water-lilies go
To and fro,
Rocking in the ripples of the water,
Lazy on a leaf lies the Lake King’s
daughter, Only the water-lilies go
And the faint winds shake her. To and fro,
Who will come and take her? Dipping, dipping,
I will! I will! To the ripples of the water
Keep still! Keep still!
Sleeping on a leaf lies the Lake King’s
daughter . . .

Then the wind comes skipping

To the lilies on the water;
And the kind winds wake her.
Now who will take her?
With a laugh she is slipping
Through the lilies on the water.
Wait! Wait!
Too late, too late!
Rachel Field
• Born on September 19, 1894 in New York, United States
• Died on March 15, 1942

• American novelist, poet, and children's fiction writer.

• Her first published work was an essay entitled "A Winter
Walk" printed in St. Nicholas Magazine when she was 16.
• Has been most successful in this genre and her collection
contain numerous poem about people and object belonging
to their immediate environment such as “The Flower Cart
Man”, “Taxis”, “The Cuckoo Shop” and many others.
•   She was also a successful author of adult fiction, writing
the bestsellers Time Out of Mind (1935), All This and
Heaven Too (1938), and And Now Tomorrow (1942)
 Something Told the Wild Geese
(1934)

Something told the wild geese

It was time to go;
Though the fields lay golden
Something whispered, — "snow".
Leaves were green and stirring,
Berries, luster-glossed,
But beneath warm feathers
Something cautioned, — "frost".

All the sagging orchards

Steamed with amber spice,
But each wild breast stiffened
At remembered ice.

Something told the wild geese

It was time to fly —
Summer sun was on their wings,
Winter in their cry.
Dorothy Aldis
• Born on March 13, 1896 in
Chicago, Illinois, United States
• Died on July 4, 1966

• Has written many short poem for young people

choosing the simple and common domestic scenes and
event which she’s poetry with humor and charm.
• Aldis wrote 29 books during her lifetime, including
novels, biographies, and poetry for both adults and
children.
• Her poetry and prose infused the everyday with
sympathetic lightness and humor.
• She published her first book of poetry in 1927
entitled “Everything and Anything”
Elizabeth Madox
• Born on October 30, 1881 in 
Perryville, Kentucky, United States
• Died on March 13, 1941

• Southern American novelist, poet, and short story

 writer noted especially for her vivid,
impressionistic depiction of her protagonists’ inner
life and for her accurate portrayal of life in 
Kentucky
• Known as an anemint novelist because of the
unique quality of the poem.
• All of her writings are characterized by her distinct,
rhythmic prose.
• In 1922 she published her first major
work, Under the Tree, a book of verse for
children
Under the Tree (1922)
Song in the Meadow
Dorithy Walter Baruch
• Born on August 5, 1899 in
San Francisco, California, United States
• Died on September 4, 1962

•  American psychologist and children's

book author.
• She studied children's language
acquisition and wrote about childhood
development whilst also supplying fiction
for children
• She is one of the modern poet for children
who has made use of the knowledge of the
child psychology in her book like parent and
children go to school
• Some of her works include “Merry Go
round” and “Riding in an airplane”.
Riding in an Airplane
by Dorothy Walter Baruch

Azzoomm, azzoomm loud

and strong — I saw autos
Azzoomm, azzoomm a Scuttling along.
steady song — They looked to me
And UP I went Like fast little lady bugs —
UP and UP So small!
For a ride And I saw houses
In an airplane. That seemed to be
Only as big as match
The machinery roarrrred boxes —
And whirrred That's all!
And jiggled my ears
Yet I But the strangest sight
Just sat right Was when
On a chair We came to some clouds!
Inside that airplane We stared down
And made myself Instead of up
Stare To see them,
Out of a window. And they looked
Like puffs of smoke
There From giant cigarettes
Way down below
.
Myra John Livingstone
•  Born on August 17, 1926 in
Omaha, Nebraska, United States
•  Died on August 23, 1996

• Myra Cohn Livingston is poet, musician, critic,

educator, anthologist, and author
• Though Livingston composed in free verse, many of
her poems for children took on received forms such
as limerick, and haiku. She wrote more than 25
books, including the volumes of children’s verse.
• Livingston writes simply and directly from the
child's point of view about things that please and
puzzle the preschooler. The poems are very short,
seldom more than 8 or 10 lines, and are intended to
be shared with children in those brief moments
when their attention can be caught
• In 1946, her first poem, “Whispers,” was published
in Story Parade magazine.
 Whispers

Whispers

tickle through you ear

telling things you like to

hear.

Whispers

are as soft as skin

letting little worlds curl in.

Whispers

come so they can blow

secrets others never know.

Mary Anne
Hoberman
• Born on August 12, 1930 in  
Stamford, Connecticut, United States

• Hoberman is the author of roughly 50 books,

all but one of which is in verse.
• He is an another modern poetry for children. 
• Her first book of poems, All My Shoes Come in
Two’s, was illustrated by her husband
• Some of her best-known titles are A House is a
House for Me, The Seven Silly Eaters, and The
Llama Who Had No Pajama, a collection of
one hundred of her favorite poems. 
• Her collections of poem “Hello and Goodbye”
are lyrical amusing and full of laughter
John Ciardi
• Born on June 24, 1916 in
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
• Died on March 30, 1986

• American poet, critic, and translator who helped

make poetry accessible to both adults and
children.
• He has written an engaging book of verse for
young children entitle “The Reason for the
Pelican.” Some of his poems are more serious,
such as the “Simple Rian Sizes” and “The
Delightful Top Hill”.
• Ciardi’s first volume of poetry, Homeward to
America, appeared in 1940
Criteria
for
Selecting
Books
 1. Theme
For selecting the books you should consider the theme, the
theme of story or poem will be explored through elements
like characters, plot, setting, conflict, and even word choices
and literary devices. Theme also describe the central ideas
that a piece of writing explores. Interesting themes
encourage a love of learning, children make deeper
connections, children learn about the word, learning
becomes meaningful. The most commonly used themes are
all about coming of age story, revenge, courage, corruption,
love, loyalty, hero, honesty, and free will.
 2. Plot
• The plot is a planned, logical series of events
having a beginning, middle, and end. The short
story usually has one plot so that it can be read in
one setting. A plot is also a narrative of events, the
emphasis falling an causality. For example: The
king died and the Queen died, is a story. The King
died, and then the Queen died of grief, is a plot.
There are 5 elements of plot the Exposition, Rising
action, Climax, Falling action, and the Conclusion.
 3. Quality of Content
• Quality of Content is how well your context
achieves its goal. It refers to the depth of
information and insight contained within a piece of
content. For example: you're writing about tax
preparation, and have no expertise in the area. The
quality of the main content is low. It's obvious that
you wrote the page about tax preparation without
doing any research. There is an unsatisfying
amount of content for the purpose of the page.
 4.Characterization
• Characterization is the description of the
character's physical traits (how a character
looks), point of view, personality, private
thoughts, and actions. Example of
characterization are the direct and indirect
characterization. Direct characterization tells the
audience what the personality of the character
is. Indirect characterization strengthens you're
writing by showing, not telling.
 5.Style
• Authors have style, too, but it's
called literary style or the writer's voice.
Writers express their ideas in specific ways
by using just the right word and putting it in
just the right place. The most common
types of styles are expository, descriptive,
persuasive, and narrative.
 6. Format
• Formatting is how your manuscript looks
and reads. Things like font size, page color,
word count, page number, line spacing,
paragraph breaks–everything that goes into
the visual appearance. This means
manuscript format is the proper way your
manuscript should look when you send it in
for editing.
 7. Illustration
• An illustration in a book is a picture, design,
or diagram. For example,
illustrations provide young readers with an
immediate vision of the characters, setting,
and mood of the story. Children instantly
respond to characters from their visual
appeal.
 8. Other Consideration
• How does this book compare to other books
with the same subject? Whether both has an
interesting plot/story or the characters are
intriguing and believable on both books.