This very simple sun poem is great for teaching personification to children. Many children automatically relate to the sun as a smiling face, so this poem introduces personification to them using this idea. I have also included some questions to use to study it more closely.
She looks upon the earth below
With smiling eyes and cheeks that glow,
Nurturing the things that grow
Her face lights up the world.
In winter when the weather’s bleak
She’s often playing hide-and-seek
And from behind the clouds she’ll peek
To check that you’re still looking.
At night, when all is dark, she sleeps
Behind the moon till morning creeps
Upon us all, then out she peeps
To welcome a new day.
Copyright Angela Yardy 2010
1) Do you know what this poem is about; what is being described?
2) Why do you think that the poet chose to use ‘she’ and not ‘he’?
3) What examples of personification can you find?
4) “Nurturing” is a strong verb which means that it paints a clearer picture than a weak verb, and has a deeper meaning, ie, it is more effective. What does “nurturing” mean and why do you think that it is an appropriate word?
5) Look at verse 3. Choose one of the following words:
sleeps
creeps
peeps
and explain why these words are good words to use in this way.
TEACHERS Feel free to copy and print the poem off WITHOUT the title then use the questions above as a personification worksheet to study it more closely. This personification poem for kids is provided with all of the personification examples highlighted and the answers to the questions on this separate page: THE SUN, WORKSHEET WITH ANSWERS
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