Small Poems for Big Imaginations

Small poems are fabulous fun

So I thought I would write this one

It will not be long I think

Cos my pen has run out of

So begins this fun collection of poems which would make an excellent addition to any poetry shelf! There are 55 short poems here which are perfect for sharing, performing and enjoying!

Each poem is a burst of energy, sharing a passion for poetry and word play which is sure to appeal to a wide audience and encourage readers to create their own poetic works. Who wouldn’t want to accept the challenge to create their own dissimilies or write a pangram?! Covering a wide range of topics and using a variety of styles, there is something for everyone here!

Many of these poems lend themselves to performing in imaginative and creative ways as groups, individuals or as whole classes. ‘On Finding an Acorn’, for example, would make an excellent performance piece whilst also offering plenty to ponder and discuss. Humour is used to great effect, encouraging readers to experiment with wit and word play to create poems of their own, drawing on the world around them for inspiration.

‘A Difficult Choice’ could be used as a model to generate both ideas and laughter whilst forming a collaborative piece. ’How Long is a Poem?’ is a wonderful starting point for developing similes…I could go on! These small poems will make a big difference!

Small Poems for Big Imaginations

Neal Zetter, illustrated by Will Hughes

Otter-Barry ISBN: 978-1915659873

You can read my review of ‘The Shape of Rainbows’ here, ‘When the Bell Goes’ here and ‘Scared’ here.

The Shape of Rainbows

‘The Shape of Rainbows’ is packed with wealth of poems which are prefect for sharing and performing, savouring and contemplating. There really is something for everyone to be found in these pages, all accompanied by Will Hughes’ witty illustrations.

Classes would have great fun performing poems like ‘Brother versus Sister’ and could easily be inspired to create addition ‘verses’, exploring comical opposites as the siblings bicker or creating their own versions using other opposing voices- perhaps cat and dog! ‘Fright’ is another poem which would work really well as a performance piece, encouraging children to consider the pitch, volume and pace of their performance as well as possible actions and effects they might choose to use! ‘Echo’ is another which would work well like this!

There are so many poems here which would make excellent models to inspire children to create their own poems and plenty which offer food for thought. There are those which help them to explore poetic techniques like ‘Metaphor Man’ and ‘Adam’s Apples’ which uses a mixture of alliteration and tongue twister, but above all the collection shares a love of language and word play which excites the imagination and engages the reader/ listener with the musical possibilities of poetry and the joy of expression through this medium. A must-have for every class and home bookcase!

The Shape of Rainbows

Neal Zetter, illustrated by Will HUghes

Otter-Barry Books ISBN: 978-1915659163

You can read my review of ‘When the Bell Goes’ here and ‘Scared?’ here.