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

Let’s Be Earthlings

A little alien discovers Earth and it delighted by all its wonders. It enjoys feeding like a bat, carrying its home on its back like a snail and playing like a child. The only thing missing is its friend, Batu…

In ‘Let’s Be Earthlings’, the little alien’s enthusiasm for all the joys of Earth is infectious! As they shapeshift from creature to creature, children are encouraged to think about all the variety and wonders of life on Earth and how the planet makes the perfect home for everyone.

The little alien realises that not everything on Earth is as happy as it might be- some Earthlings never go outside -some Earthlings are scared of the alien and tell it to keep away- but the alien finds solutions to these difficulties and still thinks Earth is amazing!

The illustrations are colourful and full of fun, capturing the little alien’s enthusiasm for the world its exploring and the diversity of life on Earth. Children can enjoy spotting the creatures that they have met along the way on the final spread, including finding which animal the little alien has shifted into!

Let’s Be Earthlings

Mary Murphy

Otter-Barry ISBN: 978-1915659620

Publishing 7th August 2025

Pause for Poetry: A Ticket to Kalamazoo!

Bursting with energy and exuberance, ‘A Ticket to Kalamazoo!’ is the perfect collection for encouraging and developing a love of poetry. These are poems which are crying out to be shared, performed and discussed time and time again, whatever mood you are in! Although pitched for younger readers, there are poems here to be enjoyed by all ages, including those which would work brilliantly as models to inspire children to create and write their own.

The collection is wonderfully interactive! Families or classes could invent their own actions for each of the creatures as they practise counting to ten without realising. As the poem suggests, ‘it might be nice just once or twice to do the ten again!’ There are fun riddles to solve and plenty to laugh about as you have a ‘handful of fun’, do the ‘Goldilocks Rap’ or visit the bug hotel.

Full of colour and fun, each poem is brilliantly illustrated by Neal Layton, making the book instantly appealing. Equally excellent for home or school, this is a must have collection for inspiring poets of the future and kindling a life-long love of words and their playfulness.

A Ticket to Kalamazoo! Zippy Poems to Read Out Loud

James Carter, illustrated by Neal Layton

Otter-Barry Books ISBN: 978-1913074104