About the Author
Robin Klein is a famous Australian writer born on 28 February 1936. She wrote many stories and poems for children and young people. Her books are loved because they show real feelings of kids, like wanting to be free and not always listening to elders. She won big awards for her writing, including the Australian Children's Book of the Year. Amanda! is one of her popular poems that kids all over the world study. Robin Klein passed away in 2015, but her simple and touching words still make us smile and think.
What’s the Story About?
Amanda! is a short poem, not a long story, but it feels like a real-life scene between a mother and her young daughter named Amanda. The poem shows how a strict mother keeps scolding her child for small things, but Amanda is lost in her own happy dreams. She doesn't care about the nagging and imagines herself in beautiful, free worlds.
The poem has five parts (stanzas). Let me explain each one simply:
- First Stanza: The mother sees Amanda sitting with her shoulders bent and legs twisted in a lazy way. She shouts, "Stop that slouching and sit up straight!" But Amanda is dreaming she is a mermaid swimming happily in the sea, with nobody to scold her.
- Second Stanza: Now the mother warns Amanda not to eat chocolates all the time, or her teeth will fall out and she'll look ugly. But Amanda dreams she is an orphan (a child with no parents), sitting alone on a dusty road, free to do whatever she wants.
- Third Stanza: The mother tells Amanda not to get her shoes dirty by walking on the road. But Amanda imagines herself as Rapunzel, the fairy tale princess with long golden hair, locked in a tall tower. She doesn't mind being alone because no one tells her what to do.
- Fourth Stanza: The mother asks if Amanda has done her homework. Amanda just says "Yes" without looking up, still deep in her thoughts.
- Fifth Stanza: Finally, the mother feels sad and worried. She wonders if Amanda is listening or if she even loves her. She sighs and puts her hand softly on Amanda's shoulder. But Amanda is still dreaming – this time, she sees herself walking freely on the beach with bare feet, like a happy, wild child.
In easy words, the poem is about a girl who feels trapped by her mother's constant orders. To escape, she makes beautiful dreams in her mind where she is completely free. It shows kids often wish for a world without rules.
Who’s Who in the Story
Characters
- Amanda – A young girl (around 11–12 years old) who keeps daydreaming to escape her mother’s constant scolding.
- Mother – A strict and worried parent who keeps giving Amanda orders and correcting her behavior.
Imaginary Characters (from Amanda’s daydreams)
- Mermaid – From Amanda’s imagination; she feels free and happy, swimming in the sea.
- Orphan – From the streets; she imagines being alone with no one to boss her around.
- Rapunzel – From the fairy tale; she feels peaceful, living alone in a tall tower.
- Barefoot Girl – On the beach; she feels wild, carefree, and full of freedom.
Themes and Moral
- Freedom – Amanda wants to live freely without anyone controlling her, like in her dreams of being a mermaid or orphan.
- Imagination – She uses her mind to create happy worlds where she feels safe and free.
- Parent–Child Gap – The poem shows how parents worry too much, while children want space and understanding.
- Escapism – Amanda escapes into her thoughts when reality feels strict or boring.
Moral
Children need some freedom to dream and be themselves. Too much scolding can push them away into their own world. Parents should love and guide, but also let kids have fun and space. The poem teaches: "Give children wings to fly, don't clip them with too many rules."
Important Vocabulary and Phrases
Here are easy explanations of important words from the poem:
Vocabulary
- Slouching – Sitting or standing in a lazy, bent way. Example: “Stop that slouching.”
- Mermaid – A half-girl, half-fish who lives in the water. Example: “I am a mermaid.”
- Orphan – A child with no mother or father. Example: “I am an orphan.”
- Rapunzel – A princess with very long hair from a fairy tale. Example: “I am Rapunzel.”
- Wan – Looking pale and weak. Example: “Pale and wan.”
- Stony – Hard and without feelings. Example: “With a stony look.”
Phrases
- Tempestuous mood – A very angry or stormy mood. Used when: Amanda’s mother is upset.
- Barefoot – Without shoes or slippers. Used when: Amanda dreams of walking freely on the beach.
- Dust of ancient towns – Old, dirty streets. Used when: Amanda imagines herself as an orphan walking alone.
- Golden hair – Bright yellow, shiny hair. Used when: Amanda dreams of being Rapunzel.
These words make the poem fun and magical. Try reading them aloud!