Snip, snap crocodile H-K
Poems + action and other rhymes for children
Here
are grandma’s glasses
Hiawatha
How
doth the little busy bee
How
much wood would a woodchuck chuck?
Hundreds of stars / Only one
Mother
I know a little butterfly
I know a little hamster
I know you little
I met a little elf man
I wish I lived in a caravan
I’d love to be a fairy’s child
If I could be a fairy now
If you should meet a crocodile
In a hickory nut
In my little garden by the
apple tree
Jack Frost is about!
Jolly October
Juniper, Juniper
Kind hearts are the gardens
Knock,
knock, knock, knock
Have fun with this
collection; it’s a great way to:
• increase verbal
skills, expand vocabulary and horizons
• interact with a
partner or larger groups and understand turn taking
• learn to follow
or synchronize actions with each other
• learn to start
and stop and discover the value of rules
• use children’s
natural response to rhythm and rhyme
• sharpen listening
skills
• improve memory
• continue the
tradition of children’s verse from this and other countries
• be creative,
there are many opportunities change words or actions, add verses, use different
voices or change
roles
• above all to
have lots of tremendous fun – even the most timid child will follow the rhyme
and with the group
soon begin to join in.
The rhymes and
poems below are part of ‘Away we go!’
compiled and illustrated by Dany Rosevear
Last updated: 1/24/2022
11:58 AM
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To listen to music from these songs click on 🔊
To watch the author sing a song click on
the title at:
©
Dany Rosevear 2012 All rights
reserved
You are free to
copy, distribute, display and perform these works under the following
conditions:
·
you
must give the original author credit
·
you
may not use this work for commercial purposes
·
for
any re-use or distribution, you must make clear to others the licence terms of
this work
·
any of
these can be waived if you get permission from the copyright holder
Your fair use and
other rights are no way affected by the above.
Here are grandma’s glasses Glasses
are among the most desirable objects for young babies – shiny and great to
put in the mouth but with a bit of luck they might learn how to place them
back on their owner’s nose especially if it belongs to grandma or granddad
having a nap! |
Here are grandma’s
glasses, Here is grandma’s hat, This is the way she
folds her hands And puts them in her
lap. Here are grandad’s
glasses, Here is grandad’s hat, This is the way he
folds his arms And has a little nap. |
Make glasses with thumbs and fore fingers. Make hat above head. Link hands. Place in lap. Make larger glasses with thumbs and fore fingers. Make a big hat above head. Fold arms. Place in lap. |
Hiawatha 🔊 Hiawatha is taught a love of nature by his grandmother Nokomis. This is an extract from the poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.The
music here was written by H. A. Donald and can be found in ‘Sing through the
seasons’ Ninety-nine songs for children published in 1972. I, Dany Rosevear,
have added two more couplets to each verse from the poem as the words are so
beautiful. |
At the door on summer
evenings Sat the little Hiawatha; Heard the whispering of the
pine trees, Heard the lapping of the
water. Sounds of music, words of
wonder; Mudway-aushka!" said the
water. Saw the fire-fly, in the
evening, Little dancing, white-fire creature, Lighting up the brakes and
bushes, With the twinkle of its
candle. And he sang the song of
children, Sang the songs Nokomis taught
him. When he heard the owls at
midnight, Hooting, laughing in the
forest, "What is that," he
said, "Nokomis?" "That is but the owl and
owlet, Talking in their native
language, Talking, scolding at each
other." Then the little Hiawatha Learned of every bird its
language, How they built their nests in
Summer, Where they hid themselves in
Winter. Talked with them whene'er he
met them, Called them "Hiawatha's
Chickens." Then of beasts he learned the
language, Learned their names and all
their secrets, How the beavers built their
lodges, Where the squirrels hid their
acorns, Talked with them whene'er he
met them, Called them "Hiawatha's
Brothers." |
How doth
the little busy bee 🔊 This poem ‘Against Idleness and Mischief’ by Isaac Watts, (1674–1748)
was also the original poem Alice tried to recite in ‘Alice in Wonderland’ which
came out as ‘How doth the little crocodile’. |
How doth the little busy bee Improve each shining hour, And gather honey all the day From every opening flower. How skilfully she builds her
cell; How neat she spreads her wax, And labors hard to store it
well With the sweet food she
makes. In
works of labor or of skill, I would be busy too; For there are some find mischief still For idle hands to do. In books, or work, or
healthful play, Let my first years be passed; That I may give for every day Some good account at last. |
How doth
the little crocodile 🔊 This is the parody by Lewis Carol of the previous poem ‘How doth the
little busy bee’. It can be played as a hand play. Music by Dany Rosevear. Open and close hands. Wiggle fingers. Pour water. Wiggle fingers. Draw
smile. Spread fingers. Beckon with hand. Place one hand on top of the other
with thumbs stretched. Open and close hands. |
How doth the little crocodile
Improve his shining tail, And pour the waters of the
Nile On every golden scale! How cheerfully he seems to
grin, How neatly spreads his claws,
And welcomes little fishes
in, With gently smiling jaws! |
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck? A
tongue twister. Challenge yourself and say
it faster each time. |
How much wood would a
woodchuck chuck, If a woodchuck could
chuck wood? As much wood as a
woodchuck could chuck, If a woodchuck could
chuck wood? |
Hundreds
of stars / Only one Mother 🔊 A poem for Mother’s Day. From ‘The book of 1000 poems’ first published
1942 where it was listed as poet unknown. It has also
been ascribed to Abdelrahmen from Egypt and George Cooper 1838-1927. Tune
by Dany Rosevear. |
Hundreds
of stars in the pretty sky, Hundreds
of shells on the shore together, Hundreds
of birds that go singing by, Hundreds
of lambs in the sunny weather, Hundreds
of dewdrops to greet the dawn, Hundreds
of bees in the purple clover, Hundreds
of butterflies on the lawn, But
only one mother the wide world over. |
I know a little butterfly 🔊 A poem by Margaret Rose.
Make a little summer hand play as below. Music by Dany Rosevear. Cross forefingers to make
butterfly and flap around. Flower: Place open hands to face. Cup hand and
tickle with fingers. As before. Wave. |
I know a little
butterfly with tiny golden wings, He plays among the summer
flowers and up and down he swings, He dances on their
honey cups so happy all the day, And then he spreads his
tiny wings—and softly flies away. |
I know a little hamster 🔊 A poem to a dear little
pet by Jo Ellen Moore. Set to music by Dany
Rosevear. |
With a twitchy nose. He's covered with fur From his head to his toes. I know a little hamster, Soft and brown. He plays in his cage, Running up and down. I know a little hamster, Pouches stuffed with lunch. He'll save the seeds for later. Then he'll munch, munch, munch. |
I know you little 🔊 A comic poem for St
Valentine’s Day. From the pen of the
wonderful Shel Silverstein. Music by Dany Rosevear. |
I know you little, I love you lots, my love for you could
fill ten pots, fifteen buckets,
sixteen cans, three teacups, and four
dishpans. |
I met a little elf man 🔊 A poem and hand play by
John Kendrick Bangs as sung by: Mrs. Russell Vaughan and recorded in Memphis,
TN. https://home.lyon.edu/wolfcollection/songs/vaughanelfman1252.mp3
|
1. Indicate size with thumb and forefinger. With palms
up and outwards, shrug shoulders. 2. Look serious and squint with head tilted.
Place hands on hips. Shake finger and point it.
I met a little Elf-man,
once, Down where the lilies
blow. I asked him why he was
so small And why he didn't grow. He slightly frowned,
and with one eye He looked me through
and through. "I'm quite as big
for me," said he, "As you are big
for you." |
I wish I lived in a caravan O William Brighty Rands was
a Victorian children’s poet who also wrote ‘Gypsy Jane’ and a thoughtful poem
‘The world’. |
I wish I lived in a
caravan, With a horse to drive,
like the pedlar man! Where he comes from
nobody knows, Or where he goes to,
but on he goes. His caravan has windows
two, And a chimney of tin that
the smoke comes through, He has a wife and a
baby brown, And they go riding from
town to town. Chairs to mend and delf
to sell - He clashes the basins
like a bell. Tea-trays, baskets,
ranged in order, Plates, with the
alphabet round the border. The roads are brown and
the sea is green, But his house is just
like a bathing machine. The world is round, but
he can ride, Rumble, and splash to
the other side. With the pedlar-man I
should like to roam, And write a book when I
came home. All the people would
read my book, Just like the Travels
of Captain Cook. |
I’d love
to be a fairy’s child 🔊 A poem by Robert Graves put to a French tune. From ‘Music Time, 44 songs for young children’
published by OUP in 1961. Find out more about Robert Graves at: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/id-love-to-be-a-fairys-child-by-robert-graves
Arrangement by Dany Rosevear. |
Children born of fairy stock Never need for shirt or
frock, Never want for food or fire, Always get their heart’s
desire: Jingle pockets full of gold, Marry when they’re seven
years old. Every fairy child may keep Two strong ponies and ten
sheep; All have houses, each their
own, Built of brick or granite
stone; They live on cherries, they
run wild - I’d love to be a Fairy’s
child. |
If I
could be a fairy now 🔊 A poem by Edith Mitchel, published 1921. Set to a familiar tune ‘All things bright and beautiful’. |
If I could be a fairy now, I’d learn a lot of things, What flowers to find to talk
about And what the birdie sings I’d fly around the garden With the butterflies for
hours I’d find out if the honey bee Says “Thank you” to the
flowers. |
If you should meet a
crocodile A
crocodile is not a pet and is not there to be petted! |
If you should meet a
crocodile Don’t take a stick and
poke him Ignore the welcome in
his smile, Be careful not to
stroke him. For as he sits upon the
Nile, He thinner gets and
thinner; And whenever you meet a
crocodile,… He’s ready for his
dinner! SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! |
Wag finger back and forth. Wag finger from side to side and poke. Draw big smile with two fore fingers. Stroke back of hand. Put one hand on top of the other, open and close. Move palms slowly together. Wag finger back and forth. Rub tummy. Extend arms, open and close. |
In a
hickory nut 🔊 Originally titled ‘It’ by James Whitcomb Riley. Find out more about
this children’s poet from Indiana USA at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Whitcomb_Riley This poem can be used as a hand play. Music by Dany Rosevear. Wiggle finger in palm of
hand. Draw a smile on face. Put crossed hands to heart. Draw large circle with
hands. Throw ot hands looking pleased and then point to self. |
A wee little worm in a
hickory nut Sang, happy as he could be, “Oh, I live in the heart of
the whole round world, And it all belongs to me,… And it all belongs to me!” |
In my little garden 🔊 A poem for dramatisation
and to practice number sequences. Music by Dany Rosevear. |
In my little garden By the apple tree, Daffodils are dancing, One, two, three! In my little garden By the kitchen door, Daisies red are smiling Two, three, four! In my little garden By the winding drive, Roses bright are
climbing Three, four, five! In my little garden By the pile of bricks, Hollyhocks are growing, Four, five, six! In my little garden Down in sunny Devon, Violets are hiding, Five, six, seven! In my little garden By the cottage gate, Pansies gay are
shining, Six, seven, eight! Daffodils in golden
gowns, Daisies all in red, Hollyhocks so very tall By the garden shed, Roses in the sunshine, Violets dewy bright, Pansies smiling gaily, What a lovely sight! |
A poem for winter by Cecily E. Pike. I have
been familiar with this poem since childhood and have often used it in teaching
since the 70s It appears in the 'The book of a thousand poems' - she has only
one in this anthology! The poem is credited to the National Sunday School
Union. Research often comes up with intriguing
information; according to The United Methodist Jan, 28 1926 she wrote music
for someone else’s primary school song. I would love to know if she wrote a
tune for Jack Frost! She also wrote a poem ‘The sea’ which was
taught in Jamaican schools in the 1970s. Explore
the wonderful ice patterns made on windows and trees. |
Look
out! Look out! Jack
Frost is about! He
s after our fingers and toes; And
all through the night, The
gay little sprite Is
working where nobody knows. He’ll
climb each tree, So
nimble is he, His
silvery powder he’ll shake. To
windows he’ll creep, And
while we’re asleep, Such
wonderful pictures he’ll make. Across
the grass He’ll
merrily pass, And
change all its greenness to white; Then
home he will go, And
laugh “Ho! ho! ho! What
fun I have had in the night!” |
Jolly October 🔊 A rosy perspective of the
tenth month of the year. A poem by Wilhelmina Seegmiller.
Music by Dany Rosevear. Here is another song of
the same name: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDUn6qsDGjU |
The pears now are
mellow, The pumpkins are
yellow, Ripe chestnuts are
falling, The late birds are
calling. To gold, leaves are
turning. Great bonfires are
burning, The pecker is drumming,
The bees still go
humming, The sunshine comes
streaming- Ah, can folk be
dreaming? Why say they you're
sober, You jolly October? |
Juniper, Juniper 🔊 A poem for winter and Autumn. Set to music by Dany Rosevear. This
waltz could be played as a simple pair dance. Hold hands with a partner and
swing them from side to side; on ‘prickly you grow / prickles and all’ turn
the blanket over – with hands still held lift them up and move under. |
Juniper, Juniper, Green in the snow; Sweetly you smell And prickly you grow. Juniper, Juniper, Blue in the fall: Give me some berries, Prickles and all. |
Kind hearts are the gardens 🔊 This poem will be recognized as one by Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow; the second verse, however, is a corruption of the first
and more familiar as a nursery rhyme. I found both appealing and
complementary and set it to the tune ‘When Mary went walking’ which
immediately came to mind. There is also a version set to music called ‘Walk in love’ from Shining River: A collection
of new music for Sunday schools 1875. |
Kind hearts are the gardens, Kind thoughts are the roots, Kind words are the flowers, Kind deeds are the fruits. Take care of your garden; And keep out the weeds, Fill, fill it with sunshine, Good words, and kind deeds. Kind hearts are the gardens, Kind thoughts are the roots, Kind words are the blossoms, Kind deeds are the fruits; Love is the sweet sunshine, That warms into life; For only in darkness Grow ill-will and strife. La la la…. Take care of your garden, And keep out the weeds, Fill, fill it with sunshine, Good words, and kind deeds. |
Knock, knock, knock, knock
From the ‘Young Puffin book of
verse’; not sure if it is still politically correct!
Knock, knock, knock, knock,
Hear the knockings four!
Each a knock for someone standing
At our kitchen door.
The first is a beggar man,
The second is a thief,
The third is a pirate,
And the fourth a robber chief.
Close all the windows,
Lock the door, and then
Call for the policeman quick
To
catch those four bad men!
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