As soon as The B on Your Thumb (Frances Lincoln) appeared in the mail, it grabbed my attention. The book consists 60 poems written by Colette Hillier which all play on language and spelling. As a non-native speaker of English, I was instantly drawn to it because it highlights with humour, but a gentle touch, …
With the first hints of autumnal weather, a magical time comes upon us: it is the season of gift books and other beautiful editions (part of Jólabókaflóðið, as Icelanders would call it), ready for shoppers who seek Christmas gifts. You will be hard pushed this year to find a more beautiful specimen than I Am the Seed that …
Tomorrow is National Poetry Day and for the occasion I am delighted to have been offered the opportunity to showcase a poem from the forthcoming I’m Just No Good at Rhyming, written by Chris Harris and illustrated by Lane Smith (Two Hoots). Chris Harris is better known maybe for his work as a TV comedy …
The CLiPPA (Centre for Literacy in Primary Poetry Award) for a book of poetry for children was launched in 2003 by CLPE (Centre for Literacy in Primay Education). This is the only award for published poetry for children, highlighting an important branch of children’s literature and ensuring that it receives proper recognition. The award is presented annually for a …
Wild Animals of the North Dieter Braun, translated by Jen Calleja (Flying Eye Books) It is great to see translated books finally accepted in Carnegie and Greenaway lists, which allows for this beautiful exploration of the fauna in the Northern Hemisphere by German illustrator Dieter Braun to be included this year. This is the first in the …
Sarah Crossan(Bloomsbury Children’s Books) Kasienka’s father has left her mother and moved to England. The mother, persuaded that she can make him change his mind, uproots Kasienka’s whole life, fitting it into a suitcase and a laundry bag, and they arrive in Coventry. Forced to live in a bedsit, Kasienka and her mother must get …
Michael Rosen (text) & Babette Cole (illustrations)(Bloomsbury Children’s Books) A little interlude from Children’s Book Week as today is also National Poetry Day! I have to admit I am not usually one for reading a lot of` poetry but when this came through the post I got quite excited! Rosen and Cole? What a team! Michael Rosen’s wonderfully …
Edward Lear, Angela McAllister (text) & Kevin Waldron (illustrations)(Simon & Schuster)The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea,In a Beautiful pea-green boat,They took some honey,and plenty of money,Wrapped up in a five pound note.This classic nonsense rhyme needs no introduction but in this new edition Edward Lear’s wacky tale is given a new leap of life thanks to Angela …
