The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

A Question of Alliteration

Do Dalmatian dogs do dot-to-dots?
Tittering tigers tickle turtles with spots?
Can caterwauling cats catch cantaloupes?
Frolicking froglets play funny frog flutes?

When whales sing, do they whistle and wail?
Chasing cheetahs cheat at chess in chainmail?
Could cool, kicking camels keep out goals?
Shifty sheep share shadow-puppet shows?

How can howling hyenas play hide-and seek?
Wandering wildebeest wade waters deep?
Do delighted donkeys dance after dinner?
Slippery snakes slither hither and thither?

Who hoots hilariously in the heat of the night?
Crafty creatures crawl creepily out of sight?
Would weary wolves waltz with wise, woolly wallabies?
Chuckling children choose cheese or choc candies?

These questions are quizzical, quirky and quaint,
I’ll ask them quite quietly, and then I shall quit.

About the Writer


Fiona Halliday

Fiona has enjoyed and written poetry all her life. She has fond memories of family members sharing poems with her from a very early age. Fiona has taught in primary schools, across the age range, for the last twenty years and specialises in literacy. She loves language, learning and laughter. She also likes alliteration! When she isn’t teaching, reading or writing, Fiona enjoys playing the flute, spending time with her family and drinking copious amounts of tea!