description:
There Once Was a Puffin
by Florence Page Jaques (1956)
Oh, there once was a Puffin
Just the shape of a muffin,
And he lived on an island
In the bright blue sea!
He ate little fishes,
That were most delicious,
And he had them for supper
And he had them for tea.
But this poor little Puffin,
He couldn’t play nothin’,
For he hadn’t anybody
To play with at all.
So he sat on his island,
And he cried for awhile, and
He felt very lonely,
And he felt very small.
Then along came the fishes,
And they said, “If you wishes,
You can have us for playmates,
Instead of for tea!”
So they now play together,
In all sorts of weather,
And the Puffin eats pancakes,
Like you and like me.
additional information:
“There Once Was a Puffin” is a children’s poem that was written by Florence Page Jaques, an American author and illustrator celebrated for bringing the natural world vividly to life for young readers. Born in 1890, she became widely known for her collaborations with her husband, wildlife photographer, artist and conservationist Francis Lee Jaques, as well as for her own engaging nature writing. Her work combined careful observation of wildlife with storytelling that inspired curiosity and respect for the outdoors.
One of her most beloved children’s books is There Once Was a Puffin (And Other Nonsense Verses) published in 1956. In the poem by the same name, Jaques introduces readers to the life of a puffin nesting on a northern seabird colony. Through simple narrative and vivid descriptions, she describes the bird’s eating and nesting habits, and the rugged coastal environment where puffins live. The book blends gentle humor with natural history, making basic seabird ecology accessible to children while encouraging appreciation for wildlife. Even decades after publication, it remains a classic introduction to puffins and northern seabirds, and has been republished several times with different illustrators.
created by:
Florence Page Jacques (1890-1972)