Firefly

‘Firefly’ is the most gorgeous book. Hinting at the beauty withing, its stunning cover of deepest blue with copper image is very tactile, a theme continued by the thick, creamy pages inside. It even smells wonderful!

Perfect for the darkening days of this time of year, the lyrical verse follows a little girl’s journey through the woods, encouraging her to ‘seek what’s glowing’ to counter the pitfalls and darkness which surrounds her. For those who struggle with dark feelings or who find the long winter nights a difficult time, these words will offer hope and comfort, reminders that all the tiny joyful things in life can combine and give light in the dark- ‘set fears to flight, set night on fire.’

The text is a joy to read aloud, full of vivid imagery and rich vocabulary, accompanied by the most enchanting illustrations. Uplifting and powerful, ‘Firefly’ is a stunning book, one to be shared again and again.

Firefly

Robert Macfarlane, illustrated by Luke Adam Hawker

Magic Cat ISBN: 978-1917044523

Harriet Tubman: A Force of Nature

Told through poetry and colourful collaged images, ‘Harriet Tubman: A Force of Nature’ is an engaging biography of Harriet Tubman, perfect for introducing children to the life and work of this amazing woman.

The poems are grouped to show the passing years of Harriet’s life. Named at birth Araminta Ross, she was born enslaved and the author conveys the barbarity of this whilst emphasising Harriet’s love of nature and the strength of her family bonds. The strength of her faith as she sought to save and support others is also highlighted.

Offering plenty to discuss and reflect upon, this book would be a useful addition to any library. For English classrooms, however, some background and context on the American Civil War and the treatment of enslaved people in the United States would need to be sensitively given for children to truly understand Harriet’s life and actions. A map at the end of the book and the inclusion of some historical photos along with the author’s notes about her research and a selected bibliography would be very useful to those wishing to learn more.

The book is beautifully presented with engaging illustrations which also offer plenty to think about. Collaged clothing worn by Harriet, her brothers and other slaves has been created using newspaper cuttings advertising slave sales and other information, including one of Harriet’s dresses being created from the reward notice for her and her brothers when they first escaped.

A stunning, thought-provoking book.

Harriet Tubman: A Force of Nature

A Biography in Poems

Caroline Brewer

What on Earth ISBN:978-1804661437

Press Start to Play

With this year’s theme of ‘Play’, ‘Press Start to Play’ is perfect for celebrating National Poetry Day!

Many of the poems reference gaming tactics and terms, making the collection instantly appealing to gamers. However, a closer look shows that there is far more to these poems. Clever use of word play and analogy allow for the exploration of ‘deeper’ topics and thought-provoking poems amongst the humour!

‘What If?’ is a wonderful pondering poem, exploring all the possibilities created by posing those two words and how they can help to inspire writing. Similarly, ‘Bad Mr Block’ personifies the feeling of being unable to write- he’s the ‘antagonist’, stopping ‘the tracks of my thought train’. ‘Stealing Ain’t Thieving in Writing’ (I can’t bring myself to leave out the apostrophe!) encourages children to think about tropes in writing. This offers a great starting point for teachers to encourage children to think about the stories referenced in the poem, comparing them and adding their own ideas, encouraging them in the ‘seven stories’ idea and know that they can use these structures to build their own.

There are so many poems to enjoy here, in a range of styles, drawing on different games and offering something for everyone. A section at the end of the book encourages children to experiment with ideas and play with poems of their own. The focus on a fun, light-hearted approach is engaging and interactive. The whole collection would make an excellent addition to any library or classroom shelf and there are many poems here which could be used in class

A cartoon flipbook has been added to the edge of the pages, adding to the fun of the read! A brilliant, highly imaginative collection!

Press Start to Play

Sam Gayton, illustrated by Jack Noel

Andersen Press ISBN: 978-1839136092

Dragon Cat

Perfect for exploring and enjoying at home or at school, ‘Dragon Cat’ is a simply brilliant poetry collection.

There are so many poems here which could be used as models to inspire children- or adults. ‘The Bag of Secrets’, for example, uses a similar structure to ‘The Magic Box’ by Kit Wright, a perennial favourite in schools, and this shows how poets magpie ideas, twist and shape them in their own way, before creating something new. Children could build their own work, using the repetitive lines and use of the senses, working together or independently. ‘When I Blew the Magic Dust’ could be used in a similar way! ‘As a Result’ is another work which lends itself to gathering, exploring and creating linked images and ideas whilst ‘Mysteries’ or ‘Wobbling Rainbows’ put all those questions children love to ask to great use!

A wonderful range of poetic styles and techniques are included- riddles, acrostics, kennings- and the collection is rich in imagery and word play, making the poems not only a joy to read, but perfect for performing and sharing. ‘In the Dragon’s Cave’ (another poem perfect for innovation!) would make a brilliant performance piece as would ‘Coming Out of Hibernation’- and who wouldn’t enjoy performing ‘Silent Poem to be Read Aloud’!

Many of the poems have additional notes, often referencing the inspiration behind them, leading to further learning. ‘There’s a Lobster on the Phone’ could lead to children investigating the work of Salvador Dali whilst ‘The Planets’ could introduce them to the work of Holst.

There is plenty of humour here as well, enhanced by the energetic line drawings of Tom Morgan-Jones. Whether to promote discussion, inspire, enthuse or entertain, this is an essential addition to any poetry collection!

Dragon Cat

Pie Corbett, illustrated by Tom Morgan-Jones

Otter- Barry Books ISBN: 978-1915659675

A Poem for Every Question

‘A Poem for Every Question’ is a thought-provoking collection of poems which answer a myriad of intriguing questions accompanied by bright, energetic illustrations.

The poems are lively and engaging as well as informative, using word play and imagery as they answer questions such as ‘Why do some animals have pouches?’, ‘Why do clouds float'?’, ‘Why do people hug?’ and ‘What is the world’s oldest instrument?’. Additional information is given under each poem, offering further explanation and facts about the topic, adding a non-fiction element to the book. Speech bubbles in some illustrations suggest other pages, encouraging readers to make links between related poems.

Humour is used both in the poems and pictures to make the work appealing and accessible and children may well be inspired to pose their own questions and write a poem in response- or perhaps challenge someone else to do so! For teachers, the collection is perfect for enriching the curriculum, asking children to consider and discuss the question, before sharing the poem and the explanation. Or the question could be a lesson starter with children working scientifically to answer it, the poem then being shared at the end of the session. ‘What is a primary colour?’ could be linked to an art lesson whereas ‘Could a woman be a gladiator?’ linked to a history lesson about ancient Rome or ‘How did the ancient Egyptians make a Mummy?’ one on Egypt, spreading the joy of poetry across the curriculum!

There are so many poems here which I could mention, but my advice is to get a copy and enjoy them all yourself!

A Poem for Every Question

Brian Bilston, illustrated by Joe Berger

Red Shed ISBN: 978-0008682804

All Together Now

‘All Together Now’ is a brilliant book of poems by Michaela Morgan, all gathered together for the first time! With a colourful cover by Nick Sharratt, it is a real treasure trove of poetry fun, a must have for all schools- and homes!

The collection bursts with a love of poetry, the joy of word play and the fun which can be had by creating, performing, reading and sharing poetry. Many of the poems are prefaced by a note to the reader, explaining the inspiration behind the piece or offering additional information to support the reader’s understanding. There are also performance and writing prompts throughout which make this collection invaluable to teachers or other adults who are uncertain about how to share poetry with children.

There are so many poems to enjoy here! Any of the poems in the section called ‘Word Play’ could be used as a model for writing, encouraging children to experiment with their own ideas and collaborate on work. ‘Tiger! Tiger!’ could be used not only to introduce children to William Blake’s original, showing how ‘real’ poets use the writing of other people for inspiration, but also as a starting point for discussions about animals in captivity. The poems gathered in the ‘People’ section would be excellent for using to enrich lessons or for sharing at a story time, provoking discussion and deepening learning. There are also many poems which would make brilliant performance pieces!

Many of these poems have been included in different poetry anthologies so it is wonderful to have them all in one handy collection! The poems are, of course, gems to share and enjoy, but the teacher in me quivers with delight at the potential it holds for developing children’s love and understanding of poetry. Nick Sharratt’s much loved and instantly recognisable illustrations are just the icing on the cake!

All Together Now

Michaela Morgan, illustrated by Nick Sharratt

Otter-Barry ISBN: 978-1915659644

The Poetry World of John Agard

This incredible book contains eighty of John Agard’s poems, selected from eight of his previous collections. It is an absolute treasure trove of poetic joy, deserving a place on every library, classroom and home bookshelf.

‘The Poetry World of John Agard’ covers works from John’s first book, ‘I Din Do Nuttin’, published in 1983, through to ‘Points of View With Professor Peekaboo’, which was published in 2000. Many of the poems here are ones which I have shared and used with children throughout my teaching career (I shall never forget one group’s performance of ‘No Hickory, No Dickory, No Dock’!) and so know how much John Agard’s poems appeal to, and are enjoyed by, children.

Each section is prefaced with an introduction from John Agard, offering reflection on the section to come and plenty of inspiration. The collection is rich in both his playful, light-hearted poems and his more thought-provoking work, making it perfect for returning to again and again.

There are so many poems here which work well in the classroom- I’ve already mentioned ‘No Hickory, No Dickory, No Dock’ as a brilliant performance piece. Another joy to perform is ‘Grandfather’s Old Bruk-a-Down Car’. ‘Under the Arch’ works really well as a model poem to inspire children’s own ideas and many are just perfect for sharing at any time!

The Poetry World of John Agard

John Agard, illustrated by Shirley Hottier

Otter- Barry ISBN: 978-1915659477

You can read my review of ‘Follow That Word’ here.

Space

Celebrating the 350th anniversary of the Royal Observatory Greenwich, ‘Space’ offers an incredible collection of poems. Gathered into seven sections- Telescope, Greenwich, Sun/Stars, Moon, Universe, People and Time, the book features poems past and present inspired by the wonders of space.

Some of the poems are accompanied by additional notes to explain something within or about the poem. For example, a note at the bottom of David Harper’s ‘King Charles Discusses His Royal Observatory’ tells readers about the Octagon Room not lining up with the stars properly whilst Graham Denton’s poem, ‘The First Man in Space’ offers additional information about Yuri Gagarin. Photographs of relevant people, places and objects are also included.

The collection is perfect for anyone with an interest in space, old or young, to explore and enjoy again and again. However, it is also a treasure trove of delight for teachers wishing to enrich the curriculum and use poetry to creatively develop and explore learning. Poems like ‘Copernicus Kicked Up a Fuss’ (David Harper) or ‘Cecilia’ (John Dougherty) might be used to introduce key figures and their contributions. Others might be used as models to inspire children to present their own thoughts or learning- ‘What the Sun Said/ What the Moon Said’ by John Rice for example or ‘What am I?’ by Dom Conlon. Other poems could just be shared at story times or the start of lessons just to enjoy their beauty- Attie Lime’s ‘Shades of Shooting Star’ or ‘Postcard from Space’ by Jacqueline Shirtliff.

Gathered with great care to offer an excellent selection for all to enjoy, ‘Space: Royal Observatory Greenwich Poetry Book’ is a worthy celebration of the Royal Observatory, all the work which has been done there and all those it has inspired.

Space: Royal Observatory Greenwich Poetry Book

Chosen by Gaby Morgan

Macmillan ISBN: 978-1035068265

Words Can Fly: Mindful and Uplifting Poetry for Children

‘Words Can Fly’ offers a cornucopia of poems full of wisdom, reassurance and compassion. The collection is perfect for dipping in and out of and revisiting, somewhere to return to words of comfort and inspiration.

A wide range of poetry is included here, enabling readers to find words which might reflect their own feelings, offering comfort, encouraging resilience and sprinkling ideas which seed self-worth and kindness. As the final poem states, poetry is ‘permission’, allowing the reader space and time to feel and be, to explore and find courage, perhaps inspiring them to express their own feelings in this way.

There are poems here which are perfect for parents, teachers and other adults in young peoples’ lives to reach for and share when needed. ‘Butter Side Down’ shares the idea that some days are just ‘butter side down’ days- days where things are just going wrong and it’s better to accept this and move on. Another poem which refocuses the reader on the positives in life is ‘Gratitude Goggles’, perfect for sharing on a day when the grumps take over! ‘Glad Out of Grumpy’ is another poem which encourages a change of mindset and mood, words of wisdom for a grey day.

There are poems about moving house, step families, going to ‘big’ school, using your imagination… but throughout the focus is on acknowledging emotions and finding the positives in life, offering words as an outlet.

Words Can Fly: Mindful and Uplifting Poetry for Children

Donna Ashworth, illustrated by Eirinn McGuinness

Templar ISBN: 978-1785307171

I Hear the Trees: Untamed Poems from Mother Earth

‘I Hear the Trees’ is another wonderful collection of poems which immerses the reader in the glories of Mother Earth. A wide range of work is presented here, from the sensory joys of nature to the deepest emotions, expressed in a variety of poetic styles and forms, offering something for everyone.

Many of the poems here would be invaluable as models for teachers keen to inspire a love of poetry and allow children the opportunity to express themselves and there are notes at the end of the book which I have deliberately not read so that my thoughts here really are my thoughts! ‘I Choose Poetry’ is perfect for encouraging children to think of all those beautiful, sad, exciting moments or feelings and try to capture them in this way. ‘Poetry is personal’ is the final line and this is reflected in every line, allowing children the freedom to express themselves whilst supported by using a form.

Another poem which lends itself as a model is ‘I Hear the Trees’. The perfect excuse (if one were needed) for wandering in a wood and noting all the sights and sounds and tuning in to nature, children can explore how Zaro has phrased things and experiment with expressing their ideas, perhaps working together, perhaps performing their work, perhaps filming in the woods which sparked their imagination!

There are many other poems here which could be used in this way and many which lend themselves to performing, but a collection such as this offers plenty of opportunities to enrich the curriculum by encouraging discussion and reflection, not only of the beauties of our world, but the need to nurture and protect it. Although the teacher in me has taken over here, this is a joyful collection for sharing at home or enjoying independently as well…a collection for everyone!

I Hear the Trees: Untamed Poems from Mother Earth

Zaro Weil, illustrated by Junli Song

Hachette ISBN: 978- 1803381534

You can read my review of ‘When Poems Fall from the Sky’ here and ‘Firecrackers!’ here.

Pocket Book of Pocket Poems

Having received one of A F Harrold’s postcard poems, I know that children love his short poems! Indeed, despite the fact that we enjoyed plenty of poetry in class, many were fascinated by the idea that something so short was a poem as well as being charmed by the novelty of getting something hand written in the post. This led to us putting up a class post box, writing some tiny poems and sending them to each other. It also led to some really great stamp designing, but that’s another story!

In this book, A F Harrold shares a whole selection of short poems- the longest being only 60 words. The further in to the book you go, the shorter the poems get with a helpful number in the top corner of each page telling you how many words to expect! The collection is perfect for dipping in and out of- but one poem here is sure to lead to another!

Both alphabetical and thematic lists are included should anyone be interested in trying to local a specific poem or poems on a subject. There are poems about ghosts, peanuts, sneezes and cannibalism, ballet, curtains, zeppelins and flamingos…and, of course, postal workers! Many are light-hearted, some are reflective, some play with words whilst others are based on familiar rhymes. There is something here for everyone to enjoy!

Children love the fact that short poems are quick to learn, quite quick to create and easy to share. The fact that this little book is pocket-sized and perfect for carrying around is another benefit to this quirky collection of poems.

A F Harrold’s Pocket Book of Pocket Poems

Illustrated by Jack Viant

Bloomsbury ISBN: 978-1801994972

You can read my review of ‘The Worlds We Leave Behind’ here.

Boing! A Bouncy Book of Bugs

If it jiggles just a little

or its home is in the mud

or it wiggles down its middle…

oh indeed- it’s a bug!

Exuberant, energetic and engaging, ‘Boing! A Bouncy Book of Bugs’ not only offers a collection of twenty-four poems about insects, but plenty of fascinating facts as well.

All manner of insects are included from ants to moths, fireflies to bed bugs. Each spread is full of brightly coloured appealing illustrations which capture the mood and theme of the verse. Children are sure to admire the strength of the mighty dung beetle, be fascinated by the Elephant Tear Moth and perhaps learn to appreciate the ‘woefully under-appreciated’ wasp.

For teachers, the book offers great potential! Many of the poems here would make brilliant performance pieces for classes, individuals or pairs- ‘The Moth and the Moon’, for example, or ‘Boing!’- which (like many in the collection) is perfect for adding movements to! The variety of poetic forms used is great for introducing young children to some of the different styles which can be used and might also be used as models to inspire their own writing. ‘Me No Dragon’ shows how successfully Kennings can be used as a way of describing something. But above all, the poems are fun, sure to engage and be enjoyed!

Boing! A Bouncy Book of Bugs

James Carter, illustrated by Neal Layton

Otter-Barry Books ISBN: 978-1915659507

Squeak! Squawk! Roar! Amazing Animal Poems

‘Squeak! Squawk! Roar!’ is a vibrant collection of poems celebrating the diverse and wonderful world of animals. From elephants to mice, cobras to chimpanzees, there is much to enjoy in these pages.

With so many lovely poems, it is hard to select just one or two to highlight in a review! However, I have done my best… For a cat-lover like me, ‘A Cat’s Day In’ is an absolute delight, capturing the essence of a cat’s activities as it tip-toes on its ‘quilted paws’ with a ‘mew of indecision’. Of course, dog fans might prefer ‘A Dog’s View’ which follows! ‘A Cat’s Day In’ is a joy to read aloud- and would make a wonderful performance piece for a class! great fun, ‘A Wombat is a Non-Bat’ is a delicious bit of fun, highlighting all the endearing qualities of these lovely creatures and ‘Dance of the Penguins’ is a wonderful example of how a few, carefully chosen words can so vividly encapsulate an idea.

The poems are accompanied by charming illustrations, one of my favourites being the cheeky little hamster. The collection is perfect for dipping in and out of and many of the poems could enliven odd moments between lessons, be enjoyed at story time or linked to work on animals in the curriculum as well as inspiring children to create their own verses. Great fun!

Squeak! Squawk! Roar! Amazing Animal Poems

Kate Williams, illustrated by Hannah Asen

Otter-Barry Books ISBN: 978-1915659552

Publication date: 9th January

A Poem for Every Day of Christmas

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and auld lang syne!

What other poem would be as perfect for today’s entry in a book of poems for this time of year? And, indeed, the poem selected by Allie Esiri for the 31st December is ‘Auld Lang Syne’.

Offering a collection of thirty-one poems, one for each day of December, ‘A Poem for Every Day of Christmas’ combines well-known carols and verses with some lesser-known poems. As the days pass, the choices reflect the anticipation and growing excitement of the season, mixing humour and poignancy, some dwelling on the religious significance of Christmas and some on the secular.

As perfect for sharing as for reading alone, the book offers an advent calendar of poems to be enjoyed- but be warned! Once started, it is very hard to resist flicking through the pages and delighting in each new offering. The eloquence of Christina Rossetti’s ‘In the Deep Midwinter’ one day contrasts beautifully with the joy of ‘Needles’, a wonderful shape poem by Brian Bilston; the traditional cumulative fun of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ is followed by the humour of ‘On the Thirteen Day’, again by Brian Bilston. Teachers might enjoy sharing these, perhaps playing some of the traditional carols included, with their classes or in an assembly as much as families and friends will be entertained by them at home!

Although several of these poems also appear in ‘A Poem for Every Winter’s Day’ also edited by Allie Esiri, there is no doubting that this is a festive collection which can be enjoyed every year.

A Poem for Every Day of Christmas

Edited by Allie Esiri

Macmillan ISBN: 978-1035068388

Wisdom of the Woods

‘Wisdom of the Woods’ is a beautiful treasury, offering forty poems which celebrate the joys and the wonders of nature. Set in the world of Brown Bear Wood, the poems pass the wisdom of Nature’s ancient laws to the next generation.

Gathered into eight different sections, the poems explore a wealth of topics, including pollination, evergreens, fungi, grass, chlorophyll… Rachel Piercey does not ‘dumb down’ her writing and as a result, the poems are not only informative and enjoyable, but richly written, using a wide vocabulary. A glossary at the end of the book offers support with clear explanations of the scientific terms used- metamorphic, lenticel, omnivore- but there is also a sense of whimsy and joy in the poems which mange to combine learning and fun so successfully!

The book is the perfect size for taking on expeditions through the woods where they can be enjoyed and used to spark investigations in the heart of the habitat they are celebrating. For teachers, this book is perfect for enriching the curriculum either by using the poems as starting points for exploration or for enjoying at story times or as part of an assembly. Each work is accompanied by delightful illustrations, each a mini-masterpiece!

From its gorgeous cover to the last page, ‘Wisdom of the Woods’ is an absolute joy!

Brown Bear Wood: Wisdom of the Woods

Rachel Piercey, illustrated by Freya Hartas

Magic Cat ISBN: 978-1915569615

Why did my brain make me say it?

‘Why did my brain make me say it?’ is a wonderful collection of poems, loosely based around the passing of the school year. Full of word play and wit, there are poems to perform, poems to laugh at, poems to linger over- all to enjoy!

‘Love/Hate’ is not only perfect for starting discussions, but also for using as a model to inspire children’s own writing, allowing them to create phrases which capture what they consider to be negatives and positives. This could be done either individually or as a class and result in a fun piece of performance poetry. ‘Rumours’ is another poem which would be great fun to play with and present. Using kennings, ‘Granny and Grandad’ would be perfect for encouraging experimentation with this poetic device and no doubt, producing very satisfying results as children could describe their friends, family, pets…teacher?!

Many of the poems capture feelings or moments which children will readily recognise. in ‘Faux Pas’, a child has just called his teacher ‘mum’, something which happens with surprising regularity even in Year 6 classes! ‘Felicity’ is a poem about a friend who had moved away, leaving a huge hole in the child’s life. Many of the poems contain a surprise, benefitting from repeated reading- ‘Things Sian’s house house has that our house doesn’t’ for example.

The collection includes a wonderful range of poetic styles and devices, showing readers just how much fun poetry can be! Riddles, haiku (and Lie-ku and Bye-ku), shape poems, acrostics, opposites… so much to enjoy! I could comment on each and every poem, being inspired to share them with children and, in turn, inspire children by using them, but I think my favourite is ‘Growing a Poem’ which begins:

A poem begins as a seed

buried deep inside the imagination.

A must-have collection!

Why did my brain make me say that?

Sarah Ziman

Troika ISBN: 978-1912745395

Out of this World

‘Out of this World’ is a new collection of poems, offering a mixture of the poignant and light-hearted, moving from memories to possibilities and dreams. Some poems are rich with Michael Rosen’s trademark humour whilst others are deeply poignant.

‘Family Secret’ is a deeply moving reflection on past meeting the present, referring, I’m sure, to Michael uncovering the truth about his ‘lost’ ancestors as he recounts in his book ‘The Missing’. In contrast to this, ‘The Alphabet Eater’ recounts what would happen if all the letters were eaten by a monster which would make a fun performance piece as well a great starting point for children to play with sentences and investigate what would happen to them if the monster started to eat them!

The collection is beautifully illustrated by Ed Vere whose artwork complements the poems perfectly, particularly those which accompany ‘A Day in the Life of a Cat’. There is so much to enjoy and reflect upon here, making this a book which will be returned to again and again.

Out of this World

Michael Rosen, illustrated by Ed Vere

Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0008517175

Spooky Poems Aloud

One grain of gritty midnight,

One iota of dust.

The figure spoke inside my head,

‘It’s time to join us.’

Just in time for the spooky season comes this suitably scary collection of poems from Joseph Coelho. ‘Spooky Poems Aloud’ is the fourth book in the ‘Poetry to Perform’ series and offers a perfectly pitched selection of poems to add some shivers to Hallowe’en!

Each of these twenty-five poems just cries out to be performed, encouraging children to explore the use of dynamics, tone and gesture to support their presentation, having great fun in the process. ‘On a Cold Whispering Night’ (which the quote above comes from) is perfect for whispering in spooky tones whilst the onomatopoeic refrain of ‘The Skeleton in the Basement’ might need a louder, sharper voice!

An introduction is added for each poem, giving suggestions not only for performance, but also tips for creating poems along the lines of those given. ‘It Woke Me From a Dream’ uses a repeating line to create a creepy atmosphere and the note suggest creating a poem in the same style. ‘The Grey Lady’ is a poem which uses the senses to describe something scary- another fun thing to try!

The book introduces children to a wonderful range of poetic styles and techniques- pantoum, villanelle, regna, tanka- enriching the reader’s experience and understanding of the wonders of poetry, making this an invaluable resource for teachers and interested adults as well as children. Full of appealing illustrations, ‘Spooky Poems Aloud’ is sure to encourage a love of poetry in everyone!

Spooky Poems Aloud

Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Daniel Gray-Barnett

Wide Eyed ISBN: 978-0711287396

You can read my review of ‘Courage Out Loud’ here.

The River’s a Singer

The river’s a singer,

As he dances along,

The countryside echoes

The notes of his song.

A lively, joyous collection of poems, ‘The River’s a Singer’ offers a wonderful range works, celebrating nature, family, cultural heritage and identity. Many of the poems feature elements of Jamaican patois and, for those who need it, there is a very useful, detailed glossary at the end of the book with a few additional notes at the end of some poems. However, there is nothing quite like hearing Valerie Bloom perform her poems- an inspirational treat everyone should enjoy!

This collection contains a mix of new and previously published poetry, such as ‘Fruits’ and ‘Outdooring’, using a wide range of styles and techniques. As well as being wonderful for performing, sharing or reading alone, many of the poems here would make wonderful models to explore and enjoy with a class.

‘The River’, for example, could be used as inspiration for a topic about rivers. Through using personification and metaphor, the personality of the river is explored, and this could lead to discussions about the vocabulary chosen to capture this with children then offering their own suggestions and considering how these might alter the meaning/ effect of the poem. Word play- and history- are introduced in ‘Henry the Eighth’ and ‘Watt Tyler’ and there is a lovely collection of Christmas poems, offering a Caribbean flavour to the celebrations. ‘Christmas is Here’ gives a wonderful sense of building expectations and excitement and could easily be used as a model for children to create their own poems about Christmas – or other important occasions/ events. Another poem which lends itself really well to encouraging children to create their own work is ‘When Granny’ which would also allow them to try to capture emotions through phrases and words!

One of my favourite poems in this book is ‘The Artist’, but there are so many which could be commented on.

 The River’s a Singer

Valerie Bloom, illustrated by Sophie Bass

Macmillan   ISBN: 978-1035043767

You’re a Poet

‎ ‘You’re a Poet’ is a wonderful book. Blending story and poetry writing advice, it is perfect for encouraging adults and children to play with words and become poets! Many people (including teachers) are ‘scared’ of poetry and so this powerful form of expression and source of pleasure is often neglected. This book offers some very practical, achievable and effective ideas which help overcome this and produce some very satisfying results.

The book is organised into five chapters. Each starts with a section of story about Piglet, followed with ideas and advice for developing a different style of poem. Every chapter explores a new adventure as Piglet goes for a walk with his mum, goes on holiday, plays with his friend, Squirrel, makes a rope swing with his dad and paints his room. Each situation leads to Piglet exploring how he is feeling, what he notices or what he sees through poetry.

The beautifully illustrated stories are lovely and offer everyday situations as inspiration, making the book a very practical, fun way of encouraging children to create their own poems. The book begins with ‘Puddle Poems’, a very simple, but very effective and enjoyable way of gathering words to create a poem. Tips and suggestions are given for how this can be developed should the child be ready to do so, but this lovely idea means that even the youngest children can create spoken poems which adults might (or might not!) choose to record for them. This playing with words, developing ideas, choosing vocabulary and having fun is wonderful for helping children to express themselves and explore their emotions as well as for encouraging them to observe the world around them!

Each of the other poems offers a model to support children’s writing. Comparing poems encourage the use of a structure- ‘as…as’ -introducing children to similes without once mentioning the term whilst the ‘Making a person out of something’ poem develops the use of metaphors. The other ideas offer structures for children to play with and develop their own ideas.

An excellent book for enjoying and exploring creative writing, ‘You’re a Poet’ is a wonderful book for home, for school, for everywhere and anywhere, offering really practical ideas which will make everyone free the poet inside!

You’re a Poet: Ways to Start Writing Poems

Sean Taylor, illustrated by Sam Usher

Walker     ISBN: 978-1529514063