I have loved poetry ever since I was a small person, and so any chance to check out a new poetry book is always so very welcome. 

This volume of magical poems is just a beautiful little jewel, and though clearly published with a view to the education market, would make a truly delightful gift for any child who revels in verse.

Cookson has gathered together a wonderful selection: short, not-so-short, humorous, more serious, purely magical or just with a hint of whimsy, contemporary writers and older ones, including Shakespeare and Lewis Carroll, but all of them absolutely enchanting and just begging to be read aloud.

Without a doubt my favourite has to be, Somewhere in the Library by Stewart Henderson – watch this poet reads his work to great effect here.

The presentation of this book is equally as engaging as its contents: from the bold orange and black cover, the use of the easy-to-read (UK) school font, stunning endpapers, and the bewitching illustrations by Eilidh Muldoon.

If your students still explore poetry in various forms as part of their units then you will be glad of the addition of this volume which includes often-used styles such as shape poem and parody. Whether your intention would be as an addition for curriculum support or purely as pleasure, I would heartily recommend this enticing collection.

Title: Fire Burn, Cauldron Bubble
Author: [chosen by] Paul Cookson.
Illustrator: Eilidh Muldoon.
Publisher: Bloomsbury, $26.99

May 17, 2021 at 12:36AM DimbutNice