Features

The Truth About Parents by Paul Cookson, David Harmer, Brian Moses, Roger Stevens
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  • The subtitle of this book is, ‘Hilarious Rhymes’ by Paul Cookson, David Harmer, Brian Moses and Roger Stevens. I point this out because it is not immediately obvious. The first impression you get of this poetry book, from its size, format and illustrations is that it is a comic book.
  • What a wonderful idea. The illustrations by David Parkins, who has previously illustrated for the Beano, are in true comic book style, and are very clever. There are even a couple of comic strip style pages within.
  • I wouldn't go as far to say all the poetry is Hilarious. In fact one or two are a little sad and thought provoking. A representation of true life in many ways, but I think that even then the authors have found a way of injecting a little humour into life.
  • I can imagine many a reluctant reader picking this up unwittingly thinking it was a comic and then discovering that they are laughing their heads off at poetry.
  • This is a very smart way of marketing poetry to a whole new audience . A great gift idea for those who would normally not be interested in poetry books.
  • I was very impressed by this book!
  • Reviewed by Doda Smith
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  • authors: Paul Cookson, David Harmer,
  • Brian Moses, Roger Stevens
  • illustrator: David Parkins
  • publisher: Macmillan
  • edition: Paperback Original
  • price: £5.99
  • ISBN: 9780330477338

 

Fairytale Poems by Clare Bevan
  • This is one for the girls!
  • In some ways that is a shame because there are some fabulous poems in here that would be perfectly acceptable for boys. On the other hand, this book will entice a whole new generation of poetry reading girls who love a good fairytale, but have not yet picked up a poetry book of their own choosing.
  • Clare Bevan has produced a wonderful collection of well written rhyme and witty verses, and the cute and funny illustrations compliment it perfectly.
  • This would make a smashing gift for any little girl - why not include it with a dressing up outfit for an imaginative gift idea. Oh, and leave it lying open on the table, and a little boy might even read and enjoy it too before he notices the pink cover!
  • Reviewed by Doda Smith
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  • author: Clare Bevan
  • illustrator: Lara Jones
  • publisher: Macmillan
  • edition: Paperback
  • price: £4.99
  • ISBN: 9780330464130

 

The Magic Box by Kit Wright
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  • Kit Wright, as well as being probably the tallest poet in the country, is also one of the very best. He's well-loved for his work for adults but is also popular with children and it's easy to see why. He's interested in many of the things that children, and particularly boys, also find fascinating. Sport, especially cricket and football; jokes of every kind; silliness and zaniness - they're all material for him and he's also good on things like boredom.
  • I think I'm right in saying that it was Wright who first came up with what has now become a staple of creative writing workshops: the magic box. If anyone out there knows differently, then I apologize, of course. The exercise is: think of a box and what's in it. And then write about it.
  • This whole book, as its title suggests, is a magic box of its own and in it you will find poems from Wright's other collections for children and they're terrific. They read aloud brilliantly and occasionally among the dazzling humour, word play and verbal fireworks, you find a poem like "The Sea in the Trees" which I'm quoting in full because it's so beautiful.
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  • "When the warm wind was flowing
  • In the leaves of the tall ash tree,
  • The old man fell asleep in the park
  • And he dreamed the sounds of the sea.
  • The branches filled and billowed,
  • The high mainmast swayed,
  • As long sea-miles of the afternoon
  • His green galleon made...
  • In the harbour of the shade."
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  • Peter Bailey's haunting and humorous illustrations add an extra touch of enchantment to a really enjoyable and mind-stretching book.
  • Reviewed by Adele Geras
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  • author : Kit Wright
  • illustrator : Peter Bailey
  • publisher : Macmillan Children's Books
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : £10.99
  • ISBN : 9780230705159

 

Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S Eliot

 

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  • We all know them and love them: Macavity, the Jellicoe cats, Gus, the theatre cat, Mungojerry and Rumpelteazer and the rest. They've become part of the culture, thanks not only to Eliot's verses but also to the musical 'Cats.'
  • This newly-illustrated edition pays tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber's work by making the cats resemble, at times, actors in animal costumes. Still, there is an essential cat-ness to them all, even though they're sometimes shown in un-catlike poses. The faces are not particularly feline because the characteristic Alex Scheffler round eyes make the creatures very human.
  • There is a very joyous and cheery look to the whole collection which will be popular with younger readers and this edition would make a perfect (I mean purrfect, of course!) introduction for anyone who hasn't met the poems before.
  • The book is beautifully designed and both the full-page spreads and the smaller decorations are really delightful.
  • Reviewed by Adele Geras
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  • author : T.S Eliot
  • illustrator : Alex Scheffler
  • publisher : Faber and Faber
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : £14.99
  • ISBN : 9780571240616