On Poetry Street

In this collection, Brian Moses offers not only 52 poems (one for any week of the year), but oodles of inspiration and possibility. ‘On Poetry Street’ shows just how accessible and enjoyable creating poems can be and is sure to leave readers itching to get started.

This is a book for everyone, not just children. Each poem offers an idea or a model which can be enjoyed, perhaps performed, and then used as a starting point for creating new poems, whether using that framework or developing ideas of your own.

Notes at the end of the book from Brian Moses offer further information about the different styles of poems he has used, what triggered his ideas and says that ‘the two words, ‘What if?’ are the writer’s best friends.’ These pages are a real treasure trove of inspiration, a poet’s gift to other writers.

Many of the ideas here will spark not just poems, but discussion and debate as children share their ideas and explore possibilities. ‘If I Could Travel back in Time…’ is sure to raise questions about the events Brian Moses has chosen as well as encourage children to recall or investigate past incidents and consider why they might choose them for their poem. ‘A Mouthful of Words’ and ‘A Difficult Poem to Read Unless You’ve Swallowed a Dictionary’ both celebrate the joy of words, wordplay and dictionaries as well as encouraging curiosity.

The whole collection is peppered with Mark Elvins’ lively illustrations which add much to this enjoyable collection. This is an essential addition to any bookshelf, offering hours of pleasure and fun!

On Poetry Street

Brian Moses, illustrated by Mark Elvins

Scallywag Press     ISBN: 978-1915252586

Flyntlock Bones Blog Tour

Today, I am delighted to have been asked to take part in the Blog Tour for ‘The Ghost of Scarletbeard’. There are lots of wonderful resources available on the Scallywag Press website to accompany this series (the chocolate ghosts have been added to my to-do list!), including teacher notes and a couple of board games!

The Countess of Bohemia’s jewels have been stolen by a ghost. Not just any old ghost, but the ghost of Captain Scarletbeard, the scariest pirate who ever lived!

Flynn and the crew of the Black Hound descend to the murky depths to Davy Jones’s Locker, where they uncover a ghoulish plot that threatens the survival of the Seven Seas…

‘The Ghost of Scarletbeard’ completes the trilogy of Flyntlock Bones stories. Flynn (Flyntlock Bones) is cabin boy aboard The Black Hound, an unusual pirate ship whose crew have left their piratical ways behind and are now pursuing a career in ‘pirate investigation’. Business is not booming and no parrots have flown in with the news of a job recently; however, when they hear that the Countess of Bohemia has (once again!) had her jewels stolen, they are quick to offer their services, leading them into an amazing adventure facing an iniquitous pirate, Captain Scarletbeard, and his witch partner, Molly Macbeth.

Full of fun and adventure, ‘The Ghost of Scarletbeard’ offers just the right level of piratical goings-on and dastardly deeds for younger children whilst introducing a wonderful range of characters and locations which are brought to life by Mark Elvins’ brilliant pictures. With lots of detail to pore over, the book offers a mixture of pages bordered with smaller illustrations and some wonderful full page spreads.

With the baddies getting their comeuppance and the good finding happiness, ‘The Ghost of Scarletbeard’ is a pacy, fun-filled adventure, perfect for pirate-loving landlubbers!

Flintlock Bones: The Ghost of Scarletbeard

Derek Keilty, illustrated by Mark Elvins

Scallywag Press ISBN: 978-1912650774

Thank you to the lovely people at Scallywag Press for inviting me to take part in this Blog Tour.