Author: Kenn Nesbitt

Kenn Nesbitt, former U.S. Children's Poet Laureate, is celebrated for blending humor and heart in his poetry for children. Known for books such as "My Cat Knows Karate" and "Revenge of the Lunch Ladies," he captivates young readers globally.

It’s Lonely as a Boa

Welcome to Poetry4kids. I’m Kenn Nesbitt. Today I’m sharing a poem inspired by one of the more unusual pets my family had when I was a kid—a boa constrictor! Our boa was a wonderful pet—gentle, calm, and friendly—but I know that many people find snakes scary, even harmless ones. That got me thinking: what if a boa could tell its own story about being misunderstood? Here’s my poem, “It’s Lonely as a Boa.” I hope you enjoy it!

It’s lonely as a boa.
Though I’m just a simple snake,
people frequently will see me
and begin to sob and shake.

They expect that I may hurt them,
but that simply isn’t true.
So, you shouldn’t get unsettled
when I wriggle up your shoe.

If I slide a little higher,
it’s okay to stay at ease.
It’s a sign of my affection
if I slip around your knees.

You can tell I’m being friendly
when you notice you’re embraced
by my kind and calm caresses
as I wind around your waist.

If you sense a tender tickle
as I slither up your arm,
you can rest assured I certainly
don’t mean you any harm.

And I always love a hug, so if
I wrap around your chest,
this is just my way of telling you
I think that you’re the best.

Yes, it’s lonely as a boa,
being so misunderstood.
If you knew the real me, you’d see
I’m peaceful, sweet, and good.

I’m as harmless as a kitten.
I’m as gentle as a breeze.
And you needn’t be afraid
until you feel me start to squeeze.

— Kenn Nesbitt

One-Hit Wonders of Poetry: A Journey Through Famous Single Works

One-Hit Wonders of Poetry

When we think of “one-hit wonders,” we often imagine musicians whose careers are defined by a single chart-topping song. But did you know the same phenomenon exists in the world of poetry? Many poets are remembered today for just one iconic poem, even though they may have created a body of work during their lifetimes. These “one-hit wonders” have left an indelible mark on our culture, with poems that are often so famous they’ve transcended their original form—some even becoming songs. Let’s take a closer look at some of these unforgettable works and their creators.

Skylar the Sculptor by Kenn Nesbitt Skylar the Sculptor

Welcome to Poetry4kids. I’m Kenn Nesbitt. I’ve always loved cheese. Today, as I was eating an especially cheesy pizza for lunch, the idea of an artist creating entire sculptures out of cheese seemed irresistibly whimsical and delicious. There has been a long tradition among children’s poets, such as Colin West in the UK and Jack Prelutsky in the US, of creating poems about unusual characters with strange and funny talents. I thought Skylar the Sculptor would fit perfectly into this tradition, using her imagination (and a ton of cheese) to make incredible, edible art.

Although this poem is completely absurd, it is also meant to remind us that art doesn’t always have to be serious—it can be temporary, tasty, and loads of fun! I hope you enjoy it. This is…

Skylar the Sculptor

When Skylar the Sculptor makes statues,
she doesn’t use metal or stone.
She doesn’t use clay, wood, or plaster.
She doesn’t use plastic or bone.

No, Skylar is such a strange sculptor,
she makes all her artworks from cheese.
She chisels reliefs out of cheddars,
and vases and bowls out of bries.

She’ll carve a few columns from colby,
a bust from a big piece of blue,
or fashion a fountain from feta,
and fill it with gouda fondue.

Although she makes hundreds of sculptures
from cheese that she buys by the ton,
you won’t find her works in museums.
She eats them as soon as they’re done.

— Kenn Nesbitt

Famous and Fun Holiday Poems for Kids

Fun and Famous Holiday Poems for Kids

The holidays are a magical time of year, filled with celebrations, family, and fun! But did you know they’re also a great time to enjoy poetry? Many famous poets have written about Christmas, New Year’s, Hanukkah, and the winter season. Poetry can capture the joy, warmth, and excitement of the holidays in a way that feels both timeless and fresh. You’ll find classics that have been around for over 100 years, as well as newer poems by modern authors. Whether you’re in the mood for something funny, sweet, or thought-provoking, there’s a holiday poem just for you. Let’s explore!

I’m Counting the Days until Christmas

Welcome to Poetry4kids. I’m Kenn Nesbitt. Today I’d like to share a fun new holiday poem with you. With Christmas just around the corner, I found myself wondering how many days were left until the big day. The phrase “I’m Counting the Days until Christmas” popped into my head, and I loved the rhythm of the words, as well as the idea of checking off each day on a calendar while excitedly looking forward to Christmas Day. It seemed like the perfect topic for a holiday poem! I hope you enjoy this festive little rhyme about the anticipation of Christmas.

I’m Counting the Days until Christmas

I’m counting the days until Christmas.
I’m counting them down one by one.
I’m checking my calendar daily
and crossing them off just for fun.

I’m counting the days until Christmas.
It’s something I do every year.
It’s always exciting to count them.
I can’t wait till Christmas is here.

I’m counting the days until Christmas.
I started at three sixty-five.
I just have to count down to zero,
and then Christmas Day will arrive.

I’m counting the days until Christmas.
I still have to count a few more.
Because it’s the day after Christmas,
my count is now three sixty-four.

— Kenn Nesbitt

My Brother Made a Snowball

Welcome to Poetry4kids. I’m Kenn Nesbitt. I grew up in a part of California where it never snowed, but every now and then my parents would take me and my brothers to the nearby mountains in the wintertime to play in the snow. We loved building snowmen and throwing snowballs at one another. Later, when I moved up north where it snows every winter, my own kids grew up doing the same—building snow forts and having snowball fights, but they got to do it in the front yard.

This poem was inspired by those memories and the idea of what might happen if kids got a little carried away and missed their intended target. Sometimes, snowball fights can lead to some pretty funny and unexpected situations!

My Brother Made a Snowball

My brother made a snowball.
He threw it at our sister.
He threw it hard. He threw it fast.
His aim was bad. It missed her.

It hit our mother in the head.
It blew up like a bomb.
His eyes went wide, and then he tried
to run away from Mom.

Our mother made some snowballs, and
she threw them at my brother.
She struck him with a hundred snowballs,
one after another.

So now my brother looks just like
a snowman in our yard.
I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen
my sister laugh so hard.

— Kenn Nesbitt

Santa’s Feeling Sick

Poetry Theater

A Christmas poem in three voices

Santa's Feeling Sick by Kenn Nesbitt

Adapted from the poem “Santa’s Feeling Sick” by Kenn Nesbitt, from the book A Festival for Frogs.

Summary: This activity involves a performance where Santa Claus is found feeling unwell, and a doctor diagnoses his unusual ailment.

Presentation Suggestions: Encourage students to perform the poem in front of the class. Each student takes on a role, and they should act out their parts while delivering their lines. Santa, who has a non-speaking role, will act out feeling sick.

Props:

  • Santa hat and beard for the student playing Santa.
  • A doctor’s coat and stethoscope for the student playing the Doctor.
  • A pretend phone for the student playing Daddy.
  • Optional: A small Christmas tree to indicate the source of Santa’s allergic reaction.

Delivery: The lines of the poem should be read expressively, with appropriate emotions. Daddy should sound concerned, the Doctor should appear professional and decisive, and Santa should convincingly act out being unwell. This will help bring the poem to life and engage the audience. For tips on reciting poetry, please read this post about How to Recite a Poem Like an Expert.

Characters and Their Roles:

  • Narrator: Provides the main narrative and sets the scene.
  • Daddy: Describes Santa’s symptoms and calls for the doctor.
  • Doctor: Diagnoses Santa and explains his condition.
  • Santa: Acts sick throughout the play without speaking.

Santa’s Feeling Sick

Santa:

(Acts sick in a chair, visibly shivering, reacting to the conversation silently)

Narrator:

Daddy called the doctor,
and told him,

Daddy:

“Please come quick.
Santa’s in the living room
and feeling somewhat sick.

“Santa’s slightly out of sorts.
He’s looking rather ill,
showing certain symptoms
like a fever and a chill.

“Sad to say, he’s shivering
as if he has the flu.
Please come look. I’m sure you’ll know
exactly what to do.”

Doctor:

(Arrives and examines Santa)

Narrator:

Twenty minutes later,
when the doctor bustled in,
Santa got examined
from his elbow to his chin.

Doctor:

“Santa…”

Narrator:

said the doctor,

Doctor:

“It’s as clear as it can be…
You’ve got tinselitis;
you’re allergic to their tree!”

Ending:

End with the children reacting to the funny diagnosis, perhaps with laughter or mock surprise, to emphasize the playful nature of the poem.

Copyright © 2024 by Kenn Nesbitt. Adapted from the poem by Kenn Nesbitt in the book A Festival for Frogs.

Permission is given for individual school classes to perform this play and to make as many copies of the play as are needed for the students’ use. You can find my general permissions for teachers here and my general permissions for students here. For use of this play outside individual classes, please contact me for permission.

Kenn Nesbitt
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It's Thanksgiving Night by Kenn Nesbitt It’s Thanksgiving Night

Welcome to Poetry4kids. I’m Kenn Nesbitt.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner here in the US, I wanted to write a fun poem about the holiday that captures the feeling of overindulging at a big family feast.

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and togetherness, but it’s also a time when we often eat more than we should—something kids and grown-ups alike can relate to. I thought it would be fun to explore that universal experience from a playful perspective, imagining what it might feel like to share the aftermath of a big meal with an unexpected companion.

I hope this poem brings a smile to your face as you prepare for your own holiday celebrations!

It’s Thanksgiving Night

It’s Thanksgiving night, and
I’m curled up in bed.
I’m clutching my teddy bear
next to my head.

My stomach is aching.
I let out a groan.
Then, suddenly, I hear
my teddy bear moan.

I ate too much food, so
my tummy’s in pain.
But this is the first time
I’ve heard him complain.

We’re hugging each other
and sharing our sorrow.
We can’t wait until we
feel better tomorrow.

Tonight, though, we’re whining
and huffing and puffing.
It’s Thanksgiving night, and
we’re both full of stuffing.

— Kenn Nesbitt

More than 1,000 Funny Poems!

It’s an exciting time at Poetry4kids.com! I’m thrilled to announce that the website now features more than 1,000 funny poems for children. That’s right—over 1,000 giggle-worthy, grin-inducing, laugh-out-loud poems, all in one place, ready for you to enjoy.

Whether you’re looking for the newest poems I’ve written, the funniest fan favorites, or something a little more specific, there’s so much to explore!

Suspense by Kenn Nesbitt Suspense

Welcome to Poetry4kids. I’m Kenn Nesbitt. A couple of years ago my friend, the children’s poet Janet Wong, asked if I would contribute a poem to an anthology she was creating with children’s literature professor Sylvia Vardell called Things We Feel. She gave me several photos to choose from as inspiration, and I particularly liked one of a young boy tossing a bowling ball. It made me think about that moment of suspense—the thrill, the hope, and the uncertainty you feel as soon as the ball leaves your hands.

As with other books in this series (Things We Do, Things We Wear, and Things We Eat), 100% of the profits will be donated to the IBBY Children in Crisis Fund, a cause I’m proud to support.

Suspense

I make a wish.
I close my eyes.
I toss my ball.
Away it flies.
I don’t know what
my ball will do.
I pray it travels
straight and true.
But, though I hope
with all my might,
I know it could
roll left or right.
It might become
a gutter ball,
or strike the pins
and dash them all.
I hold my breath.
I feel a thrill
like time is stopped
and standing still,
and anything
is possible
the moment that
you toss a ball.

— Kenn Nesbitt