Since many of you liked the fall poems for kids I posted a little while ago, I thought I’d share a few lovely French winter poems to enjoy with your children.
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Un poème pour l’hiver by Jacques Prévert
This mysterious poem about a snowman fleeing the cold contains simple vocabulary for little kids learning about winter.
| Dans la nuit de l’hiver Galope un grand homme blanc. C’est un bonhomme de neige Avec une pipe en bois, Un grand bonhomme de neige Poursuivi par le froid. Il arrive au village. Voyant de la lumière Le voilà rassuré. Dans une petite maison Il entre sans frapper, Et pour se réchauffer, S’assoit sur le poêle rouge, Et d’un coup disparaît Ne laissant que sa pipe Au milieu d’une flaque d’eau, Ne laissant que sa pipe Et puis son vieux chapeau. | In the winter night A tall white man gallops. It’s a snowman With a wooden pipe, A big snowman Pursued by the cold. He arrives at the village. Seeing light Here he is reassured. In a little house He enters without knocking, And to warm up, Sits on the red stove, And suddenly disappears Leaving only his pipe In the middle of a puddle, Leaving only his pipe And then his old hat. |
Visit FrenchToday to hear an audio recording of Un poème pour l’hiver by Jacques Prévert.
Related: French books for children: What we’re reading this winter
La neige by Pernette Chaponnière
A short and sweet French winter poem that is just perfect on a snowy day!
| Regardez la neige qui danse Derrière le carreau fermé. Qui là-haut peut bien s’amuser A déchirer le ciel immense En petits morceaux de papier ? | Watch the snow dancing Behind the closed window. Who up there is having fun Tearing up the immense sky Into small pieces of paper? |
L’hiver, la neige by Anne-Marie Chapouton
If you enjoyed Les saisons, here is another lovely poem by Anne-Marie Chapouton.
| Voilà Les arbres Avec Du sucre Sur le nez La route Toute Poudrée Le ciel Enfariné La neige A tout changé. | Here Trees With Sugar On the nose The road All Powdery The sky Floured The snow Has changed everything. |
Related: Winter in French – Voici l’hiver Scholastic book: vocabulary
Do your children like poetry? What are some of your favourite French winter poems?
These are so helpful. I teach in Waldorf Education and the children do a lot of singing and recitation in all language lessons. It’s great to have some poems and songs for younger children that create a vivid and compelling picture.