This paper studies the lexis in the works of four children's poets who were writing and publishing their books of poems during the 20th century. They are: Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić, Vesna Parun, Zvonimir Balog and Luko Paljetak. All works are written in standard Croatian language. The goal of the research, using the Big Dictionary of the Croatian Standard Language, is to classify the selected lexemes into the appropriate layer of the Croatian language - temporal, regional or functional. The characteristics of the standard language, its multi-functionality, are briefly stated, and in order to be able to justifiably approach the research, the discussion on the status of the literaryartistic style among other styles of the Croatian standard language is highlighted. Every poet has his own style, so the paper also mentions the concept of stylistics, which is inseparable from the lexis when it comes to choosing between language varieties. Also, there is a reflection on who is a good writer - the one who holds on to the literary and linguistic heritage or the one who is completely free from it. Literary and artistic works have always been guardians of the lexis of the Croatian language, and writers are especially open to all its layers. In relation to the first half of the twentieth century, a change can be seen in the second half. Some lexemes are used less, some are new, some have been replaced.