by John Ciardi Daddy fixed the breakfast. He made us each a waffle. It looked like gravel pudding. It tasted something awful. "Ha, ha," he said, "I'll try again. This time I'll get it right."...
Pippi Goes to the Circus from Pippi Longstocking by Astrid
Lindgren translated from the Swedish by Florence Lamborn Way out at the end of a tiny little town was an old overgrown garden, and in the garden was an old house, and in the house lived Pippi...
Sing a Song of Subways
by Eve Merriam Sing a song of subways, Never see the sun; Four-and-twenty people In room for one. When the doors are opened--- Everybody run. Rudolph Is Tired of the City by Gwendolyn Brooks ...
J’s the Jumping Jay-Walker
by Phyllis McGinley J's the jumping Jay-walker, A sort of human jeep. He crosses where the lights are red. Before he looks, he'll leap! Then many a wheel Begins to squeal, And many a brake to...
A Bear Called Paddington
from A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond with drawings by Peggy Fortnum Mr. and Mrs. Brown first met Paddington on a railway platform. In fact, that was how he came to have such an unusual name...
Quoits
by Mary Effie Lee Newsome In wintertime I have such fun When I play quoits with father. I beat him almost every game. He never seems to bother. He looks at mother and just smiles. All this...
A Big Deal for the Tooth Fairy
by X. J. Kennedy Tooth Fairy, hear! Tonight's the night I've dreamed about for ages, For haven't we kids got a right To rake in living wages? I've tried to work my back teeth loose, Tied...
One Morning in Maine
written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey Sister Jane had wiggled out of her nightie, so Sal helped her put on her robe and slippers. "You don't want to catch cold and have to stay in bed, Jane,...
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
an old folksong I know an old lady who swallowed a fly. I don't know why she swallowed a fly. Perhaps she'll die. I know an old lady who swallowed a spider, That wriggled and jiggled and tickled...
The Night of the Jack-O’-Lantern
from Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary The Quimby family has a big problem. Mr. Quimby has lost his job, and everyone is worried and cross. Seven-year-old Ramona does her best to make people...