Welcome to National Poetry Day! My countdown of poems for children has reached the end but what a collection it’s been. Next year I might quadruple it!

If you’ve been following throughout the week then skip this bit because all I’m going to say is just how amazing the writers are who I’ve showcased. George Szirtes with The Sea’s Hands, Edward Lear with The Pobble Who Has No Toes, e e cummings with maggie and milly and molly and may, and Ted Hughes with Moon Whales.

Phew. How can I top that? Well I can’t. This is just a list of my current favourites. So this one might top that list this year but ask me again and I’ll deny everything and give you a whole new set of wonderful poems for children.

Today’s poem is by Lewis Carroll. I love this poem. It’s powerful and exciting. It builds up a narrative in such a visceral manner that anybody of any age will come away understanding it. It is (in case you haven’t guessed) Jabberwocky. This poem is one I grew up with. It bridged the gap between the stories I loved and my love of poetry. I’d even go so far as to say it’s more accomplished as a piece of poetry than The Hunting of the Snark.

If you’ve enjoyed any of these poems, or have others you’d like to share, pop them into the comments section and share them with others. And sign up to my newsletter too 🙂