Firecrackers

Subtitled 'An Explosion of Fantastical Poems, Raps, Haikus, Fairy Tales (and more) to Spark Imagination', the book is a veritable cascade of words, wound in wonderful ways.

Although the collection offers fairy tales, little plays and a song, it is the poems that are our focus here- and what a range Zaro Weil offers! Here are poems crying out to be performed- spoken-shared- as they celebrate the joy of words, the richness of language and the potential for play that lies within them.

There a poems which could be performed by classes or individuals. Take 'Firecrackers Tonight' for example...

Firecrackers tonight

a sky volcano of colour

wave after wave

rousing the stratosphere

from its great darkness...

Perfect for developing the use of cadence, projection, enunciation, gesture and choral/ part speaking as well as simply poetry for pleasure, it could also be used as a starting point to inspire children's own writing. And there are many others that can be used in this way too.

There are light-hearted poems...

This bed is so fat

this pillow so soft

hundreds of dreams

can climb right in

...and ones that provoke discussion and laughter. Poems like 'A trade' and 'The Paper Bag' would make great models for children to use as a model for their own poems. The starting line

Fill up a paper bag with...

of each verse would generate such discussions about those precious things and how to describe them. At a time when vocabulary (or the lack of it!) continues to be a major barrier for so many, the freedom poetry offers to explore and experiment with words is a real gift. For example, in Bumblebees and hummingbirds, the reader can ponder the image of 'mulberry clouds', question how water is 'braiding the earth in a torrent of new-born rivers' and imagine what 'a slippery wisp of some barely green branch' looks like. 

There is also a code which can be scanned so that you can hear 'ear-rattling raps, poems and songs'- I haven't tried this yet so can't comment on it, but hearing others perform poetry is a real joy so it can only add to the value of the book.

Illustrated throughout by Jo Riddell with black and white drawings that enhance the text beautifully, this is a real treasure of a book which will soon be a must on all classroom shelves. A 'firecracker' by name and by content!

Firecrackers 

Zaro Weil, illustrated by Jo Riddell

ZaZaKids in association with Trioka      ISBN: 978-1909991781

When Poems Fall from the Sky

Produced in association with The Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew, her new collection, ‘When Poems Fall From the Sky’, is inspired by nature, celebrating its ‘deepest mysteries’ and ‘timeless stories’.

The collection contains story-poems, raps, rhymes, haiku and little plays, each full of imagination and energy, covering a wonderful range of styles. ‘If You Can Hear Me’ is a beautiful lullaby whilst ‘Come On Down to Fungi Town’ is a light-hearted rap. Each poem is illustrated with Junli Song’s vibrant illustrations.

There are lots of poems here which are great for enjoying with a class. Many are perfect for performing as a class or in groups and sharing. Others could be used to inspire children to write their own poems, focusing on the wonders of the natural world and the importance of protecting our planet. A fabulous collection!

When Poems Fall from the Sky

Zaro Weil, illustrated by Junli Song

Troika Books ISBN: 978-1909991958

Swim, Shark, Swim!

Showing the imaginary migration of a blacktip reef shark, ‘Swim, Shark, Swim’ takes the reader on a voyage of discovery and introduces them to the underwater world. Here, they meet different types of sharks and other marine life in their habitats before finding a way back to the Great Barrier Reef and home.

Blue sun in sunken skies

the sea sharpens to the shape

of Shark off the west coast

of Australia.

So begins this magical journey, sympathetically exploring shark’s world. It is a joy to read aloud, lyrical and flowing, and sure to excite the imagination. The blacktip reef shark encounters many other species on its journey offering a fascinating glimpse of some of the different types of shark and their habitats. A little more information is included about each at the end of the book along with other things it encounters, making the perfect starting point for further investigation.

Often the focus of fear and sensationalist headlines, ‘Swim, Shark, Swim’ focuses on the beauty of these creatures and the essential role they play in helping to maintain the ocean’s balance. It also reminds the reader of the threats posed by climate change and the impact this is having on shark’s world.

Each glorious illustration celebrates the beauty of our oceans, showing the varied habitats of the sharks and the creatures who live alongside them. The book would make a wonderful starting point for inspiring artwork and poems about these magnificent creatures, accompanied by research. The text is rich in imagery, alliteration, kennings, repetition, onomatopoeia… showing the joy of language and the beauty of expression as well as conveying lots of fascinating information.

Perfect for reading aloud, ‘Swim, Shark, Swim!’ would make a wonderful addition to any bookshelf.

Swim, Shark, Swim!

Dom Conlon, illustrated by Anastasia Izlesou

Graffeg ISBN: 978-1914079054

Leap, Hare, Leap!

‘Dip-dwelling grass-grazer’ Hare leaps from landscape to landscape around the world, introducing the reader to different breeds of hares on her journey. As she ventures from place to place, Hare faces danger from predators as she encounters her

Rich in imagery, ‘Leap, Hare, Leap!’ is a beautiful introduction to the world of these fascinating creatures. Using kennings, alliteration, simile and metaphor, the book is lyrical, a joy to read aloud, as well as informative. Additional facts about each hare she meets are included at the end of the book along with information about the Hare Preservation Trust. A glossary explains some of the terms used.

The artwork is as powerful as the text, full of drama and detail. Hare escapes from each predator-including the man-made ‘mechanical monster’ which destroys Woolly hare’s home- making it safely home to her leverets. This book, like ‘Swim, Shark, Swim!’, is perfect for supporting work in science on animals and their habitats as well as for inspiring poetry writing.

‘Leap, Hare, Leap!’ offers a love of language, beautiful illustrations and fascinating facts.

Leap Hare Leap!

Dom Conlon, illustrated by Anastasia Izlesou

Graffeg ISBN: 978-1913134921

Saturdays at the Imaginarium

Meanwhile I’ve slipped into a secret side room,

locked the door

and imagined

the Imaginarium.

(Well, who did you think

runs this whole show!)

An imaginarium is a ‘place devoted to the imagination’ - an excellent way of describing this creative and thought-provoking collection of poems. All manner of ideas and thoughts are explored here in a seemingly random collection of fabulous wonderings and reflections.

There are so many poems worth commenting on, pondering over and enjoying. Some are very direct, written almost as a challenge, whilst others are softer, like whispers. All are enjoyable and engaging.

A Word of Advice, Sunshine’ and ‘The Nameless’ are two of my favourites. As well as appealing directly to me, my inner-teacher knows that these would be wonderful for sharing with and inspiring a class. ‘Eight, Maybe Nine, Magicians You Never Knew About’ is fabulous- a beautifully observed reflection, perfect for discussing and for using as a starting point for developing children’s own ideas on who and what in this world might really be magical.

The poems play with words and ideas, often honing in on the everyday, but considering them with a quirky eye and plenty of originality. Various types of poems are used, including a ‘liwuli’, a form I had never heard of, but plan to explore further. There are helpful notes about this form included at the end of the book.

There are illustrations throughout in black and white by Jude Wisdom and a delightful colour spread in the centre. These are as imaginative as the poems!

‘Saturdays at the Imaginarium’ is a wonderful collection of poems to explore again and again.

Saturdays at the Imaginarium

Shauna Darling Robertson, illustrated by Jude Wisdom

Troika Books ISBN: 978-1912745128

Daydreams and Jellybeans: Poems to Read Aloud

This is a wonderful new collection of poems by Alex Wharton. There really is something for everyone here, each full of closely observed details and beautifully captured emotions.

‘Weeping Willow’ is one of these. The gentle flow of writing captures the majesty and elegance of these trees perfectly. Part of the magic of an excellent poem is its ability to connect you to moments and memories and this instantly took me back to the weeping willow in my grandparents’ garden whose ‘slow waterfall of leaves’ I used to hide beneath and feel completely safe and calm- usually with a good book.

Other poems are full of fun, keenly exploring the everyday -’Dear Brother’, ‘Jellybean’, ‘Kingfisher’- wonderful for reading aloud and performing. And then there are others- ‘Man in Town’, ‘Lost Smile’, ‘Midnight Wish’, ‘Sometimes’ ‘Trapper Boy’- beautiful and poignant which make you pause and think.

Each of these poems is deserving of mention and there are so many which could be used in school to inspire as well as to be enjoyed. Poems written by children who won a poetry competition are also included at the end of the book- offering even more inspiration for aspiring poets of the future. There are plenty of appealing illustrations throughout the collection by Katy Riddell.

In the foreword, Philip Gross writes, ‘These poems do what all good poems do. They get inside you.’ Wise words- and so true of this amazing collection.

Inspiring, thoughtful, poignant and fun, ‘Daydreams and Jellybeans’ is a stunning collection of poems where words truly weave their magic.

Daydreams and Jellybeans Alex Wharton, illustrated by Katy Riddell

Firefly ISBN: 978-1913102432