Cover of Kensington Rhymes

Kensington Rhymes

  • Free to read
  • 20 min read
  • 2 chapters
  • Reading level: 6th grade

"Kensington Rhymes" by Compton MacKenzie is a charming collection of children's poetry published in the early 20th century. The book captures the whimsical experiences and imaginative adventures of children in a London suburb, providing a nostalgic glimpse into childhood perceptions and playful interpretations of everyday life. The poems are illustrated by J. R. Monsell, enhancing the visual appeal while appealing to young readers and their families. The collection features a variety of themes, such as the delights of home, the innocence of childhood games, and the fantastical interpretations of mundane activities. Each poem reflects on different aspects of life, from attending a dancing class and enjoying summer holidays to contemplating the presence of a burglar or the magic of a rainy day. The verses are rich with vivid imagery and playful language, inviting readers to connect with their own childhood memories while sparking their imagination about the world around them. Overall, "Kensington Rhymes" is both a celebration and a portrayal of the joys and tribulations of growing up.

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  • Children's poetry, English

Read the opening

Kensington Rhymes

OUR house is very high and red,
The steps are very white,
The balcony is full of flowers,
The knocker's very bright.

The hall has got a coloured lamp,
A rack for father's hat,
And pegs for coats: a curious word[A]
Is printed on the mat.

The kitchen ticks too loud at night,
It is a horrid place;
Black-beetles run about the floor
At a most dreadful pace.

The cellar is quite black with coal,
The cat goes scratching there;
People go tramping past above,
But nobody knows where.

The dining-room has rosy walls,
And silver knives and forks,
And when I listen at the door,
I hear the popping corks.

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Contents

  1. Front Matter
  2. Kensington Rhymes

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About this edition

This free edition of Kensington Rhymes by Compton MacKenzie comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #39128, released 2012-03-13. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Children & Young Adult Reading, Poetry, British Literature.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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