How to Write a Poem and Some Other Poems

LoveReading4Kids Says

Sarah Holding opens this collection with the title poem, ‘how to write a poem’ and it is full of useful poetry-writing advice. I particularly like the lines, it’s sometimes liquorice/to use a word/but not in the way/it’s supposed to be. But in fact, all the poems here will inspire poetry writing, whether the subject is camping, Grandad’s medal or a magpie. Take ‘a poem about running’ for example, three verses, each with the same opening line, and a final fourth verse that turns the previous ones into something surprising, and reminds us that stories, poetry prompts, are all around us.

In each of the poems she takes something – object, situation, feeling – that a child will know or understand and explores it using her own poetry writing advice, mixing them up so that some poems rhyme, some don’t, and generally avoiding ‘interesting’ words in favour of simple language that nonetheless is always good to read aloud and resonates after the poem ends. A collection for any bookshelf, bag or pocket.

Reviewed by Andrea Reece
Andrea Reece has spent almost her entire working life in children’s books, first as publisher, latterly as consultant, project manager and critic.
More reviews by Andrea Reece

About How to Write a Poem and Some Other Poems

This collection of poems for young children is about celebrating the adventure of growing up, of belonging to a family, of coming to terms with our feelings.

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