Pause for Poetry: National Poetry Day 2022

This week, I have been pausing for poetry every day in celebration of National Poetry Day -today! The theme this year is the Environment, offering plenty of poems to choose from and plenty of inspiration for writing so here are just a few favourites which celebrate our environment in some way!

Sun Shines…Wind Blows…Water Flows…Earth Spins…

Fire Leaps…Life Grows…Ice Chills…Moon Rises…

Even the section headings of this stunning book read like a poem as the words it contains take the reader on a poetic journey round the planet. Each has been lovingly selected to capture the beauty of our world. The cover is flecked with gold, showing all manner of creatures circling the planet, tempting the reader inside.

The collection offers traditional gems like ‘The Tyger’ by William Blake, Christina Rossetti’s ‘Who Has Seen the Wind?’ and ‘I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud’ by Wordsworth, crediting the last two lines to his wife as well as more modern treasures like ‘De’ by Valerie Bloom and ‘Earth Song’ by A F Harrold. There are so many poems here which could be enjoyed by a class- for reading and enjoying, for performing, for learning and for working around. Many could lead to further discovery- Grace Nichols’s ‘The People Could Fly’, for example or ‘With One Breath (Just One Breath!) by Simon Mole as notes offering additional information are added.

A fabulous collection, ‘Poems from a Green and Blue Planet’ is a beautifully illustrated volume - a great addition to any bookshelf!

Poems from a Green and Blue Planet

edited by Sabrina Mahfouz,

illustrated by Aaron Cushley

Hodder ISBN: 978-1444951240

This wonderful collection of poems focuses on the sleeping habits of various animals with the bonus of additional information which explains the science in a very child friendly manner. It offers a fascinating look at something which we all take for granted. When, where and how these animals sleep is surprisingly varied and each poem offers a glimpse of a creature at rest. 

Each poem combines scientific fact and beautiful language, offering something really different to explore with a class. Sperm whales, for example, sleep either nose down or tail down, for (it has been estimated) less than an hour and a half a day, drifting in pods. Two toed sloths, on the other hand, sleep for up to sixteen hours a day. Research suggests that the male Zebra finch practises and refines it song whilst dreaming, adding ‘little flourishes’ to make its song unique…

Other birds may dream of worms

Or flower beds or thunderstorms

But in his dreams this bird performs

A song, each night refined.

Each poem is worthy of mention, but I particularly enjoyed ‘Trees are Where the Lions Lie’.

Each poem is accompanied by a stunning illustration of the slumbering creature, from the hand-holding otters to the napping fire ants. This is a book of wonder and beauty which will inspire the scientist, the wordsmith and the artist. A must have for every classroom!

A Songbird Dreams of Singing: Animal Poems to Share at Bedtime

Kate Hosford, illustrated by Jennifer M Potter

Penguin ISBN: 978-0241421116

Winner of the 2015 NSTBA Poetry Category with 'Buzzing', Anneliese Emmans Dean has created another fabulous collection of poems- this time, all about British birds. Grouped by season, the poems celebrate our feathered friends whilst 'Bird Box' and 'Egg Head' fact files offer additional information.

The book contains poems about all our favourite garden birds, in a range of forms. The beautiful photography perfectly frames the poems, (except for the Little Owl clutching the dead creature!) Each poem is perfect for performing, with playful language choices. They could be used for individual performances or group presentations. Many could inspire children to compose their own poems, perhaps learning more about one of these wonderful creatures on the way. 

The additional information offered with each poem is fascinating, perfect for finding out more about each bird whilst enjoying the poem. The bird's classification is also included which is very useful for the Year 6 classification work in science where 'pupils might find out about the significance of the work of scientists such as Carl Linnaeus, a pioneer of classification'. The size of each is also included, making it easy to compare and contrast the different species.

A delightful selection of poems which will lead children to find out more about the birds in our gardens. Brilliant!

Anneliese sadly passed away on 30/05/22.

Flying High! Anneliese Emmans Dean

Brambleby Books     ISBN: 978-1908241504

I love the Natural History Museum and have so many happy memories of visiting as a child and in turn taking my child (and those of others on school trips) into the magnificent building that is such a treasure trove of ‘wonder’.

‘Wonder’ is a stunning collection of poems, grouped into sections reflecting the different treasures the museum houses. The book feels as carefully curated as the museum itself as it is obvious that much thought has been given to the range of poems included and how they have been organised.

A wide range of poets has been included, offering traditional and modern, humour and pathos, but all celebrating the wonders of our incredible planet. There are many familiar, much-loved names here, but even poetry fans are sure to find new gems in this collection. There are so many poems to enjoy here it is almost impossible to select a few to name, but I love ‘Waterlily’ by Sean Hewett, ‘Solar System Candy’ by Gita Ralleigh and ‘#Extinction Rebellion’ by Pascale Petit.

This collection makes is so easy for a teacher to add a little poetry across the curriculum! Familiar primary science and geography topics like volcanoes and space are included and there are many animals represented. There are too many examples to comment on, but Jan Dean’s poem, ‘Remembering Mary’ is perfect for celebrating the life and work of Mary Anning and ‘Remember More for his Beard Now’ by Philip Ardagh introduces Darwin, both accompanied by notes from the author.

Notes from the author are peppered throughout, offering additional explanation and detail. There are also many black and white illustrations relating to the poems.

I can’t recommend this collection highly enough and will be sharing with colleagues in school as well as suggesting it as a read for our teacher book groups. A WONDERful book!

Wonder: The Natural History Museum Poetry Book

Ana Sampson

Macmillan ISBN: 978-1529058994

Happy National Poetry Day- let’s celebrate all year!