„Idzie Król Jan Trzeci!” – Kategorie polskości i patriotyzmu w poezji dziecięcej Michaliny Chełmońskiej-Szczepankowskiej

The main purpose of the article is to analyse the model of an ideal Pole and patriot created in the poetry addressed to children written by Michalina Chelmońska-Szczepankowska, a forgotten poet of the Young Poland period. Her works are a perfect example of patriotic education typical to the second half of nineteenth century. The poet consciously chooses Polish saints, perfect rulers, scientists and men of letters, who in her opinion were the best examples of patriotism. Her goal is to awake national pride in young people. This model of patriotic education has also been continued in modern times. Author of the text considers its topicality in contemporary realities and contemplates which values popularised by Chełmońska-Szczepankowska may become the cure for the modern Polish complex of inferiority.