Pick and Mix Poetry: Children's verse chosen by Julia Donaldson

Julia Donaldson has written some of the world's best-loved children's books, including modern classics The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child, which together have sold over 25 million copies worldwide and have been translated into over one hundred languages. Her other books include Room on the Broom, Stick Man and Zog, illustrated by Axel Scheffler, The Hospital Dog, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie and the hugely successful What the Ladybird Heard adventures, illustrated by Lydia Monks. Julia also writes fiction, including the Princess Mirror-Belle series, illustrated by Lydia Monks, as well as poems, plays and songs – and her brilliant live shows are always in demand. She was the UK Children’s Laureate 2011–13 and has been honoured with a CBE for Services to Literature. Julia and her husband Malcolm divide their time between West Sussex and Edinburgh.Becky Thorns graduated with a Fine Arts degree from Falmouth University. A longing to apply her work led to a move into illustration and graphic design. Becky loves to take inspiration from nature and her travels. Along with illustrating Julia Donaldson's Pick and Mix Poetry, she is the illustrator of Tales of the Prehistoric World written by Kallie Moore and The World of Whales, written by Darcy Dobell and shortlisted for the 2020 World Illustration Awards. Becky lives in Cornwall, where you may find her exploring the great outdoors or curling up with a nature or true crime documentary.

This book is a marvel, bringing together over three hundred poems written for children. With poems about the days of the week, the seasons, various aspects of the natural world, even trains and skyscrapers this collection is as broad as it is brave. Broad because no topic is off limits it. Brave because there are many poems in here that have been penned by unknown authors, that may have no provenance yet which are simply wonderful to read and share. The poems in this book are full of wonderful words to read aloud. Why not pair opposites or find poems which complement one another and see where the joy and wonder of celebrating words takes you.