The Scaredy Cat Poem for Kids: A Poem About Being Different
- Mark Bird
- Sep 9, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: 19 hours ago
Click for drama, writing and poetry lesson ideas.
Don't you love Twitter sometimes? That moment when a simple tweet sparks your imagination and inspires you to take action - whether that be writing a poem, drawing a picture or prompting you to challenge the way you think about everyday things.
Well, this happened to me two nights ago. The brilliant poet and illustrator Colin West posted an an illustration of a scaredy cat. I loved the image's raw and simple brilliance; I had never seen a cat look so spooked.
I'd always thought of humans as the scaredy cats but never the cats themselves. The phrase obviously comes from somewhere but I've not met many cats that are actually scared of anything; quite the opposite. Colin's linear drawing made me reimagine what a scaredy cat actually is .... I hope you enjoy my scaredy cat poem for kids about being different and learning to love yourself for who or what you are.
The Scaredy Cat
He’s known around as Scaredy Cat
He’s scared of this, he’s scared of that
He’s scared of birds, he’s scared of mice
He’s scared of fish, he’s scared of lice
He’s scared of tails, full of fur
He’s scared of throats, full of purr
He’s scared of fangs, full of gnaws
He’s scared of paws, full of claws
He’s scared of yowls, under moons
He’s scared of Tom, in cartoons
He’s scared of hiss in his howl
He’s scared of spit in his growl
So Scaredy-Cat, hides under cars
and scaredy-cars, hide under stars
and scaredy-stars hide in the sky
and scaredy-skies, hide way up high
So if you spy The Scaredy Cat
Afraid of this, afraid of that
Beneath the cars and stars and sky
Don’t point and laugh or pass him by
Just tempt him out with things he loves
Not fish below or birds above
The Scaredy-Cat loves bubble baths
And naughty dogs who make him laugh
So bathe him, paint his claws bright red
Then tie a bow upon his head
Arrange a date: a handsome Pug
Watch Scaredy-Cat walk tall, strut smug
He may not like what most cats do
He’s different, just like me, like you
The Scaredy-Cat feels proud and sure
He’s found his courage; scared no more
Mark Bird
Drama, Creative Writing and PoetryTeaching Ideas:
Bring this heartwarming cat poem for kids to life with a joyful mix of poetry, writing, and drama. After reading The Scaredy Cat, spark a thoughtful discussion about how it feels to be different, celebrating the idea that our differences make us special. Invite students to write their own poem about being different, imagining a shy or surprising animal hero — maybe a dog scared of bones or a lion who loves ballet! List all the things it shouldn't or wouldn't be afraid of. The challenge is to make the animal be happier, regardless of it not fitting in with the expectations. Use Colin's illustration to inspire your own image of your chosen animal looking afraid of being itself!
Let children bring their characters to life with mini performances, silly props, and colourful costumes. Through laughter, creativity, and reflection, these activities encourage empathy, self-acceptance, and pride in who we are.
It could be a good starting point to discuss the danger of #stereotypes with younger children.
Creative Writing, Poetry and Drama Worksheets for Teachers:
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