I’ve been trying to read more poetry to some of the kids I watch. I love poetry and I think that is partly due to being exposed to it at a young age by my father.
Their favorite poem I read to them is Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll.
They love the gibberish language and the funny words. Hearing it even inspired one of the girls to write her own poem.
So try reading more poetry to your kids. Starting with this classic poem from Alice in Wonderland.
Jabberwocky – Lewis Carroll
‘Twas brillig and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!”
He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the maxome foe he sought-
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood a while in thought.
And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwork, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!
One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.
“And has thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!
He chortled in his joy.
‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
