Emily Ford – illustratör

In this vibrant new collection of poems for KS2 Attie's imagination and playful use of language and nuance rise to new levels. Its a collection that will inspire to children to enjoy words and quirky juxtapositions, to laugh, to reflect, to wonder, and maybe even to write poetry themselves.

Here’s a poetry collection by comedy performance poet Neal Zetter that takes you back to his time at school – and it looks as if not much has changed! Meet Mr Shoutyteacher, always getting in a STROP, as well as the school nose-picker (careful if he’s sitting next to you!). What’s your excuse for not doing your home-work? Who feels like maths is a number-filled mystery? What’s your favourite sport – football in the playground or risk the dangers of roller-skating? Rap and rhyme your way around all the notable characters in school, not forgetting the members of your own embarrassing family. And look out for jokes as well as fascinating facts (true or false?).

Some people like to think that a collection of poems for children has to be either funny or serious, as if there are two types of children who will only like one or the other. But life isn't like that, is it! Some days we think hard, some days we cry and some days we laugh loudly and boldly, and so do children. Many of the poems in this collection are about real life. Others are about life as its found in the quirly imagination of the poet. Between the covers of this book, you will find poems that puzzle you, tell you stories, make you ask questions. There are dangerous poems, delicate poems and daft poems. One minute you will be hiding in a dusty PE cupboard with a friend who is sad, the next you will be buying ice cream from a polar bear. This is a roller coaster of poems, that mirrors the ups and downs of daily life. Whether you are in thinking mood, laughing mood, or a crazy mood, there are poems here that will keep you company.