Snip, snap crocodile H-K

Poems + action and other rhymes for children

A little seed

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

Return to the ‘Singing games for children’ home page

 

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 butteries 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


I know a little hamster,

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!


 

 

 

Jack Frost is about!

 

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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