Amanda’s A to Z Presents Poem – A Poem About Shopping, Letters, and a Daughter’s Love
- Deborah Ann Martin
- Aug 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 1
A Present From the Heart (Not the Mall)
In today’s My Poetry Corner, I’m sharing a poem inspired by my daughter Amanda, who loved shopping even though I didn’t! While I dreaded it, she and her Nana would turn shopping trips into adventures, especially when looking for gifts.
In Amanda’s A to Z Presents, Amanda tries to find the perfect present for her dad — going store to store, item to item, thinking her way through the alphabet. But in the end, it’s not the toy, treat, or object that wins her dad’s heart. It’s the hug.
This poem is playful, educational, and filled with love. It’s great for early readers learning their ABCs — but even better as a reminder that sometimes, love is the greatest gift of all.
Amanda’s A to Z Presents
Amanda's A To Z Presents
Amanda wanted to give a present to Dad.
She wanted to find something he had not had.
First, she went to the mall.
She saw APPLES and BALLS.
In the pet store, she saw CATS and DOGS.
She also saw EELS and FROGS.
She pictured her dad in a GO-KART or a HAND GLIDER.
She decided to buy Dad an ICE CREAM CONE.
It started to melt, so she licked it until it was gone.
Maybe she should get a JIGSAW or a KITE.
She could find the present that was just right.
She knew her dad already had a LAWNMOWER.
She did not know what to buy, so she asked her mother.
Her mother said that any present would be special.
Amanda saw the costume of a MARSHAL.
She thought about a hammer and NAILS.
There were OSTRICHES or PAILS.
Maybe the perfect present is a QUILT or a ROPE.
Amanda sat down and was about to give up hope.
She could get a SAILBOAT, a TOOL, an UMBRELLA, or a VINE.
There were so many things she couldn't make up her mind.
In the other stores, she saw a WATCH and a XYLOPHONE.
She could not find the perfect present, so she went home.
A YO-YO or even a ZEBRA might be the perfect present.
She could not find something she thought was decent.
Then she remembered what her mother said.
She climbed on Dad's lap and hugged and kissed him instead.
"I love you, dad!"
Dad said, "This is the best present I ever had."
From Kid Moments: Poems for Early Readers
Part of the Life Moments Series
© 2025 Deborah Ann Martin. All rights reserved.
Reflection on My Amanda’s A to Z Presents Poem
I wrote Amanda’s A to Z Presents Poem because, as a little girl, Amanda loved shopping. She and her Nana could spend hours looking for little treasures, especially when it came to picking out gifts. Me? I was more of a “get in and get out” kind of shopper. I managed the bills, and I saw what we didn't have. So I didn't want to impulse buy.
But this poem reminds me of those moments when our kids are little — when their minds are full of big ideas, their hearts full of good intentions, and their arms full of hugs. I miss the hugs.
It also reminds us that love doesn’t come in wrapping paper. The best present a parent can receive is a child’s affection — a hug, a “thank you,” and “I love you.”
That’s the kind of gift that stays in your heart forever.
The Style Behind the Words
Poetry Style Name: ABC Narrative Poem (Alphabet Poem)
Structure and Form: 28 lines with objects tied to each letter of the alphabet (A–Z)
Meter: Light, storybook rhythm with a steady pace
Rhyme and Rhyme Scheme: Mostly AABB pattern
Sound and Rhythm: Playful, bouncy — ideal for reading aloud
Poetic Devices:
Alliteration: “Go-kart / Glider,” “Sailboat / Swing / Slide”
Alphabet structure: Introduces children to letters and new vocabulary
Theme: Imagination, love, gift-giving, emotional value over material gifts
Tone: Warm, fun, and tender
Explore More Kid Moments
If Amanda’s A to Z Presents brought a smile to your face, you’ll love the rest of Kid Moments: Poems for Early Readers.
From playful rhymes to meaningful messages, every poem in the collection celebrates childhood, learning, and laughter.
About the Life Moments Series
My Life Moments Series celebrates the real moments that shape our lives — love, heartache, laughter, and growth.
Discover Loving Moments, Love and Heartache Moments, and Kid Moments — collections filled with poems written from the heart, for every stage of life.
References
Kid Moments: Poems for Early Readers. Deborah Ann Martin, 2025.
Deborah Ann Martin Amazon Author Central Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/deborahamartin
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