Format: Poetry

The Flying Machine of Dreams

Poetry

Who will win the Magnificent Race of the Animals? Frog on roller-skates or zebra on a scooter? Find a morning moon, six ways to look at a leaf, beautiful bubbles and amazing shapeshifters. Have a feast of words, make a den and then guess the names of the night animals…

Kate Wakeling’s wonderful talent for revealing the excitement that hides in everyday things, combined with her soaring imagination and special way with words, make this a poetry book that fizzes with ideas and inspiration for young children, perfectly matched by Viviane Schwarz’s exciting and inventive illustrations.

They Sent a Cat to Saturn

Ken Wilson-Max & Valerie Bloom

Poetry

They sent a cat to Saturn
on a spaceship called Hooray.
They put him in his cat space-suit
and sent him on his way…

Val Bloom’s exciting new poetry collection is brimming with playfulness, empathy and the joy of words and wordplay.

It is divided into enticing sections: Word Painting; Pets and People; A Little Light Relief; Wild, Wild World; Glorious Food and finally Brawta (the Jamaican word for A little bit extra).

Have fun with Jamaican haiku, puzzles and riddles; find the superpower of smiling; discover dinosaurs, a lost cat, a hero Dad and Papa cookin’; check out how to make an octopus laugh and find kindness in poems about refugees, the meaning of home and friendship.

This book by a much-loved poet will be treasured and read again and again, at home and at school.

The Waters and the Wild

Eilish Fisher

Poetry, Verse novel

A beautiful novel in verse about grief, family and the power of hope from Eilish Fisher, award-winning author of Fia and the Last Snow Deer.

Rowan was raised in the desert. Growing up all she’s known is sunshine, warmth, love. Then her beloved Dad dies, everything changes.

Now Rowan and her mum have moved from the hazy heat of the desert to the cold landscape of Ireland. Each of them hoping that living in the town Rowan’s Dad called home will bring them closer to him.

But as soon as Rowan arrives, she knows something’s not right. Why is it so cold even in August? Why do lights turn on without warning or kettles boil with no one pressing a switch?

Even more mysterious is The Wall. It surrounds the town, but no one can tell Rowan who built it or how long it’s stood, or why it’s forbidden to cross over to the other side. So, when she spots a crack in the stone, Rowan can’t resist the temptation to explore. In the woods beyond, she discovers a strange horse whom she feels an instant connection with, a bond that brings the return of warmth and hope . . . but at what price?

I Tell Myself I’m Awesome

Chris Piascik & Joshua Seigal

Poetry

This poetry collection from Joshua Seigal is a good choice for school libraries and book corners, with plenty of humour and lots of wordplay and puns. Some of the poems include vocabulary that will stretch even the strongest Year 6 readers, while others are very easily accessible to much younger readers. This range is one of the strengths of the book.

The cover art leans into the silliness of Seigal’s style, and many of the poems are undeniably and joyously silly, but there are also some that tackle heavier emotions. These are handled sensitively and powerfully and the juxtaposition with the silliness of previous poems is effective. The order of poems is well planned too, so that the more difficult emotional themes are followed by themes of love and optimism, so the overall effect is of giving space for those hard issues while keeping them in a healthy balance.

The collection encourages writing for pleasure. The playfulness of the language used offers children the freedom to express themselves beyond the rigid rules of correct English, whether by example with poems like Ponky Woem or by explicitly discussing the freedom of writing as in Poetic Licence and Saturday Morning.

The Old Man And The Penguin

Julie Abery & Pierre Pratt

Picturebook, Poetry

Told in rhyming verse, this is the touching true story of an oil-soaked penguin, the man who rescues him and an unlikely friendship. Joao hears ‘a sorry screech’ as he walks along the shore near his home. It’s from a penguin, whose feathers are soaked in oil. Barely moving on the sand, too tired to swim, too weak to stan… Joao must save this little guy. Without his help, he’ll surely die. Joao takes the penguin home. He cleans him, feeds him and nurses him slowly back to health – and the pair develop a special bond. When the penguin is fully recovered, Joao knows it’s time to return him to the wild where he belongs. But the penguin has other ideas…

Told in rhyming verse, this heartwarming picture book tells the true story of Joao Pereira de Souza of Brazil, who cared for a Magellanic penguin that had been caught in an oil spill. When Joao tried to release him back to the wild, the penguin returned to Joao’s home and stayed for months. The penguin, named Dindim by Joao, did eventually leave, but he now returns to visit his friend for five months of every year.

A charming read-aloud showcasing a tender relationship between an animal and human, this book also promotes environmental awareness and stewardship, and explains how human activities often threaten wildlife. Author Julie Abery includes information about Joao and the penguin, how wildlife is affected by oil spills every year, and what to do if you find wildlife in distress. The lively art by award-winning Pierre Pratt brings a touching sweetness and emotional depth to the story. There are character education lessons here on empathy, kindness and caring.

Laughter is an Egg

John Agard

Poetry

Laughter is an egg
with a crick-crack face
that can hide in the heart
of the human race.

Crack up with John Agard’s hilarious and heartfelt poems about laughter. From scrambled jokes on toast to a crocodile’s smile, this joyous collection of poems celebrates the laughter that lights up our lives, and is guaranteed to get you giggling.

Full of Agard’s signature wit and playfulness, this eggstraordinary illustrated collection is a perfect way to introduce young readers to poetry.

Discover Puffin Poetry, bringing timeless and treasured poetry collections to a new generation.

Five Little Friends

Sean Taylor

Poetry

A PERFECT new baby gift and an ideal toddler read for Christmas with 34 original poems by award-winning poet and author Sean Taylor that each come with its own accompanying easy-to-follow directions for actions and movement.

Any child is in safe hands with this ingenious one-of-a-kind interactive poetry collection.

Stunningly illustrated by Fiona Woodcock, FIVE LITTLE FRIENDS offers parents and caregivers simple and joyful ways to sing and play with their little ones as well as encouraging both children AND grown-ups to use their fingers, hands, arms, legs and even feet to become a stomping elephant, falling snow or bursting fireworks!

Held in a big, handsomely sturdy picture book format – just right for sharing – this book is sure to help entertain, and engage with, wriggling, rolling babies or busy toddlers. Even MORE than this – finger rhymes are a beautifully simple way to help children develop and work on their fine motor skills while supporting their social and emotional development.

– Create some beautiful Christmas memories with this must have title for any child’s library.
– An ideal title for schools and libraries or any kind of early years setting.
– A stunningly designed and deeply practical new baby gift.

The Poetry World of John Agard

John Agard

Poetry

A towering figure in the children’s and YA poetry world, John Agard has chosen favourite poems from eight of his previously published collections: I Din Do Nuttin; Say it Again, Granny; No Hickory, No Dickory, No Dock;
Laughter is an Egg; Grandfather’s Old Bruk-a-Down Car; We Animals Would Like a Word With You; Come Back to Me My Boomerang, and Points of View With Professor Peekaboo.

Over 80 poems are included, reflecting the genius of Agard through a range of poetic forms and styles and most of all his extraordinary ability to connect with children of all ages through poetry.

Press Start to Play

Sam Gayton

Poetry

Designed to look a bit like a video game controller (which way up would you hold it?!), Press Start to Play is a poetry collection that offers a way to capture children’s interest in gaming. The book itself is there to be played with, with its fun interactive flick-book feature.

This playful collection gamifies poetry by hooking young players with zappy rhymes, puzzling riddles and gaming-themed wordplay that will appeal to fans of everything from video games like Minecraft to boardgames like Monopoly and outdoor games like playground football matches.

It’s not all high-energy though. Sam Gayton weaves in quieter, reflective verses that add depth. Complete with prompts to get children writing their own verses, this is a fantastic and high-interest choice for Key Stage 2.

Circling the Stars

Laura Sheldon

Poetry, Verse novel

Dad has moved out and Ani is struggling to accept his absence. Her mysterious neighbour, Nando, and his secret nocturnal trips provide a welcome distraction.

An enchanting tale of secret nighttime walks, a mysterious fox and finding friendship in the most unexpected of places.

When Ani follows Nando in the dead of night, she doesn’t expect to come face-to-face with the wild fox he has befriended. During each nighttime visit they learn a little more about the fox, and each other.

But are Ani and Nando ready for the new challenges this friendship brings? And can caring for another creature bring more harm than good in this strange secret world?

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Format: Poetry

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