10 Classic Poems to Read with Children and Spark Their Imagination

Reading poems to children is a wonderful way to stimulate their imaginations, expand their vocabulary, and create loving moments of learning. Poetry, with its musicality and rhymes, awakens in children a joy of reading and connects them to feelings and experiences in a lyrical way. That's why we've selected 10 classic poems that will enchant and educate young ones, providing unforgettable family moments.

Check out our selection of poems to read with children and enjoy exploring the world of children's poetry!

1. The Little Boy – (Inspired by Cecilia Meireles)

This poem, inspired by the style of a great author of children's literature, tells the story of a dreamy boy who wants a donkey to ride through the sky. The poem captivates with its delicate imagery and sparks children's imaginations.

The Little Boy
The little boy wants a donkey
To ride and play.
A gentle donkey,
That doesn't run or jump,
But knows how to chat.

The little boy wants a donkey
That knows the names
Of rivers, mountains,
Of flowers — everything
That appears.

The little boy wants a donkey
That knows how to invent stories
Beautiful stories, for him to tell
At night, in bed,
Before sleep arrives.

2. The Butterflies – (Inspired by Vinicius de Moraes)

This poem, reminiscent of the style of a famous Brazilian poet, speaks of the colors and delicacy of these enchanting creatures, allowing children to visualize a garden full of life and beauty.

The Butterflies
White
Blue
Yellow
And black
Play
In the light
The beautiful
Butterflies.

White butterflies
Are cheerful and frank.
Blue butterflies
Love the light very much.

The little yellow ones
Are so pretty!
And the black ones, then...
Oh, what darkness!

3. The House – (Inspired by Vinicius de Moraes)

Another enchanting poem, inspired by the playful style of a beloved poet, playfully explores the shapes and elements of a house in a creative and fun way. This poem makes children think about the importance of small details in everyday life while enjoying the rhymes.

The House
There once was a house
Very funny
It had no roof
It had nothing.

No one could
Enter it, no,
Because the house
Had no floor.

No one could
Sleep in the hammock,
Because the house
Had no walls.

No one could
Go potty,
Because a potty
Wasn't there.

But it was made
With great care
On Silly Street,
Number Zero.

4. Garden Auction – (Inspired by Cecilia Meireles)

In this poem, inspired by a well-known author's style, the act of tending a garden is transformed into a playful auction. Children are invited to imagine flowers and plants full of personality as part of an enchanting poetic game.

Garden Auction
Who will buy me a garden
With flowers?
Butterflies of many colors,
Laundresses and little birds,
Green and blue eggs
In nests?

Who will buy me this snail?
Who will buy me a ray of sunshine?

A lizard between the wall and the ivy,
A statue of Spring?

Who will buy me this anthill?
And this frog,
Who is a gardener?

And the cicada
And its song?
And the cricket
In the ground?

(This is my auction!)

5. The Clock – (Inspired by Vinicius de Moraes)

“The Clock,” inspired by a famous poet's work, introduces children to the perception of time in a lyrical way. Through simple and memorable rhymes, the poem describes the workings of a clock, awakening children's curiosity about the passage of time.

The Clock
Time passes, tick-tock,
Tick-tock, time passes, hour,
Come soon, tick-tock,
Tick-tock, go away.

Time passes, tick-tock,
Tick-tock, time passes, hour,
Tick-tock, tick-tock,
Tick-tock, tick-tock.

6. The Ballerina – (Inspired by Cecilia Meireles)

This poem, inspired by a great author's evocative style, transports us to the world of dance performances, showcasing the fascination and lightness of a little ballerina. Children are captivated by the movement and gracefulness present in the verses.

The Ballerina
This little girl
So tiny
Wants to be a ballerina.

She doesn't know do or re,
But she knows how to stand on tiptoe.

She doesn't know mi or fa,
But she bends her body this way and that way.

She doesn't know la or si,
But she closes her eyes and smiles.

She spins, spins, spins with her little arms in the air
And doesn't get dizzy or leave her place.

She puts a star and a veil in her hair
And says she fell from the sky.

This little girl
So tiny
Wants to be a ballerina.

But then she forgets all the dances,
And also wants to sleep like other children.

7. This or That – (Inspired by Cecilia Meireles)

This poem, inspired by a well-known author's style, explores the choices we make in our daily lives, with simple yet profound language, helping children reflect on everyday decisions in a fun way.

This or That
Either it rains and there's no sun,
Or there's sun and there's no rain!

Either you put on your gloves and don't put on the ring,
Or you put on the ring and don't put on your gloves!

Whoever goes up in the air doesn't stay on the ground,
Whoever stays on the ground doesn't go up in the air.

It's a great shame that one cannot
Be in both places at the same time!

Either I save my money and don't buy the candy,
Or I buy the candy and spend my money.

This or that: this or that...
And I live choosing all day long!

I don't know if I play, I don't know if I study,
If I run out or stay calm.

But I haven't been able to understand yet
Which is better: if it's this or that.

8. The Seal – (Inspired by Vinicius de Moraes)

“The Seal,” inspired by a famous poet's playful style, is a short and humorous poem about a fun-loving animal that loves to play with a ball. The simple language and funny theme make this poem a perfect choice for lighthearted moments with children.

The Seal
Want to see the seal
Be happy?
It's to put a ball
On its nose!

Want to see the seal
Clap?
It's to give it
A sardine!

9. The Duck – (Inspired by Vinicius de Moraes)

“The Duck,” inspired by one of a famous poet's most beloved poems, is one of the most well-known poems among children. With a light and funny narrative, the author tells the clumsy adventures of a duck, making children and adults laugh.

The Duck
Here comes the duck
Quack here, quack there
Here comes the duck
To see what's going on

The silly duck
Painted the mug
Beat the hen
Hit the duckling

Jumped from the roost
On the horse's foot
Got a kick
Made a fuss

Ate a piece
Of genipap
Got choked
With a sore throat

Fell into the well
Broke the bowl
The little guy did so much
That he went to the pot!

10. A Child's Dream – (Inspired by Olavo Bilac)

This poem, inspired by the style of another great name in Brazilian poetry, is a delicate poem that speaks of the dreams and purity of childhood, inviting children to immerse themselves in their own fantasies.

A Child's Dream
The little girl slept dreaming of flowers
With laughter, with lights, with splendors...

She had a cradle the color of the rainbow,
In the cradle the fairy godmother rocked her.

These 10 poems are great options for introducing children to the world of poetry, allowing them to explore different emotions and worldviews while having fun with rhymes and enchanting stories!