Razzmatazz: The Poetry World of Roger Stevens

If you’re talking about poetry in school, Roger Stevens is a name which is sure to be mentioned! Ever-popular with children and adults alike, he has written poems which are often full of fun and laughter, but also those which capture poignant moments and make the reader reflect.

‘Razzmatazz!’ brings together a collection of his poems, most of which have been selected from the many books and anthologies he has written and contributed to. The result is a wide range of work which is sure to inspire and delight. If you have a child in your class who claims not to like poetry, there is sure to be something here to change their mind!

Many of the poems are perfect for performing. In fact, it’s almost impossible to read ‘Dad, Don’t Dance’ without feeling your foot tapping. The embarrassment of ‘dad dancing’ is universal and the repeated alliteration of ‘dad, don’t dance’ makes the poem easy to learn. Different groups of children could perform different verses, deciding how to bring the lines to life- and have great fun doing so! Another performance gem is ‘Get Your Poems Here’. Full of word play- and poetic terms- children could create their own additional verses about other types of poems, ‘selling’ their features to their audience. There are many other poems to be performed in this book and Roger’s notes at the end of some pieces share how he and others have used them, invaluable support for any who might need it!

There are many poems here which could be used as models to inspire children to write their own. ‘Half a Dozen Senyru’ offer a good starting point for investigating and playing with this Japanese form whilst the section entitled ‘Nursery Rhyme Fun’ shows how familiar verses can be reimagined with entertaining results! Mike Smith’s black and white illustrations add much to the collection- I particularly like his ‘Mosquito’ and know children enjoy creating pictures in this way too.

I could comment on each and every poem in the collection, but my advice is to get a copy and enjoy browsing the poetry world of one of our best poets!

Razzmatazz!: The Poetry World of Roger Stevens

Otter-Barry Books ISBN: 978-1913074418

Out on the 6th January 2022

Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear

Having witnessed the cruelty of bile extraction from a bear when she was a child, Chang grew up determined to become a wildlife conservationist and do all she could to protect animals and the rainforest. Although her dreams are met with ridicule and are dismissed by others, Chang persists and is at last accepted to a volunteer at the Cat Tien National Park. Here, she learns to care for rescued creatures, both here and at the Bear Rescue Centre where she also worked. Whilst here, she is introduced to Sorya, a sun bear, captured from a forest in Laos. Unlike other bears at the centre, this orphaned cub has a good chance of learning to fend for herself and being released back into the wild. Chang is put in charge of teaching her the survival skills she will need and is determined to help Sorya return to the wild. When she feels Sorya is ready, Chang faces her toughest challenge yet- letting Sorya go and live the life she was meant to live.

This is such a powerful story. Told in a chatty tone, the book is based on the true story of Trang Nguyen, a Vietnamese wildlife conservationist and environmental activist, whose own life was changed when she accidentally witnessed a moon bear having bile extracted and on the lives of real bears, Sorya and Pola, a moon bear. The book is rich in facts about these amazing creatures and the important role they play in the forest as well as the cruelty of the poachers and those who extract the bear’s bile for the medicine trade.

The illustrations are stunning and the graphic novel format engaging and absorbing. Lush scenes of the rainforest are rich in detail and colour whilst ‘pages’ from Chang’s notebook are shown in sepia. There are so many beautiful spreads to enjoy as Sorya’s story unfolds.

This powerful and moving story would make the perfect basis for an assembly or to broaden children’s understanding of conservation work and the dangers faced by creatures around the world. Gill Lewis’s unforgettable book, ‘Moon Bear’ is also about bear bile farming and would offer further reading for those who wish to develop their understanding of this cruel practice and perhaps be inspired to take action against it.

An excellent addition to any library or bookshelf, ‘Saving Sorya’ is an empowering and inspiring story.

Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear

Trang Nguyen, illustrated by Jeet Zdung

Macmillan ISBN: 978-0753446591

The Very Merry Murder Club

Packed full of fabulous stories, this is an amazing collection of thirteen wintery mysteries.

Each story is written by a masterful story teller and each has its own distinctive flavour and style. Edited by Serena Patel (author of the ‘Anisha, Accidental Detective’ series) and Robin Stevens (author of the ‘Murder Most Unladylike’ series), the book is perfect for dipping in and out of -or devouring in one sitting. A whole host of incredible authors have contributed to the collection including Annabelle Sami, Roopa Farooki, Elle McNicoll and Benjamin Dean, creating a delightfully diverse and imaginative range. A couple of my favourites are the following!

E L Norry’s ‘No Piste for the Wicked’ is brilliant piece of detective work, full of suspects and clues. Luca has only been at Grosvenor High for a month when he and his class mates head off to Italy for a skiing trip. But instead of enjoying the snow, he finds himself solving a murder. Addicted to the mysteries of Hercule Poirot, Luca is resourceful and determined, observing everything and skilfully piecing the crime together.

In ‘The Frostwilds’, Dominique Valente presents a fascinating and atmospheric mystery. Frostine is determined to save her sister from the fearsome Gelidbeast, roused when Frostlaw is broken, to snatch children from their families. Frostine’s courage and quick thinking save the day as she unravels the mystery of the beast and the power it wields over her people.

Each story is compelling and unique, offering very different periods and landscapes as the backdrop, but each encapsulating the essence of the mystery story. Although festive in tone, ‘The Very Merry Murder Club’ would make an excellent guided reading text for children in Year 5 or Year 6 as they offer plenty to discuss and explore whilst enjoying the style and approach of a range of authors. The book is illustrated throughout with black and white picture which add to the atmosphere. I particularly like the way each chapter starts with a picture of a ‘Top Secret’ folder, containing the story to come.

Sure to engage and entertain, ‘The Very Merry Murder Club’ both introduces children to a wealth of writers and offers an excellent selection of mysteries to solve.

The Very Merry Murder Club

Edited by Serena Patel and Robin Stevens

Farshore ISBN: 978-0755503681