The Puffin Book of Utterly Brilliant Poetry

The Puffin Book of Utterly Brilliant Poetry brings together works from three acclaimed British poets - Brian Patten, Roger McGough, and Michael Rosen. The collection features over 60 poems accompanied by illustrations from various artists. Each poet contributes a selection of their most notable works for young readers, ranging from humorous verses to reflective pieces. The book includes commentary from the poets themselves, providing context about their writing process and inspiration. The poems cover themes of childhood, family, imagination, and everyday experiences through accessible language and engaging rhythms. This anthology serves as an introduction to contemporary poetry for children while maintaining appeal for readers of all ages. The collection demonstrates how poetry can transform ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences, encouraging readers to see the world through new perspectives. Its combination of playful and serious verses shows the versatility of poetic expression.

Parents and teachers report this collection engages children aged 7-12 with its mix of silly and serious poems. Readers note it introduces poetry in an accessible way through humor, wordplay, and relatable themes. Liked: - Illustrations complement the poems - Selection includes both classic and modern poets - Poems work well for classroom reading - Good balance of funny and thoughtful content Disliked: - Some poems too complex for younger readers - Page layout can feel cluttered - Limited diversity of poets featured Ratings: Goodreads: 4.29/5 (57 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.7/5 (454 ratings) Sample review: "Perfect for getting kids excited about poetry. My 9-year-old laughs at the silly ones but also connects with the more emotional pieces. We read one each night." - Amazon reviewer "The poems range from laugh-out-loud funny to quite moving. Great for reading aloud in class." - Teacher review on Mumsnet

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein This collection pairs whimsical poetry with pen-and-ink illustrations that capture childhood experiences through wordplay and unexpected perspectives.

A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein The poems in this collection mix humor with deeper themes through rhythmic verses and distinctive black-and-white drawings.

When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne These verses chronicle the adventures and observations of childhood through characters like Christopher Robin and his stuffed animals.

The Works by Paul Cookson This anthology presents contemporary children's poetry from multiple poets with themes ranging from school life to family relationships.

Please Mrs Butler by Allan Ahlberg The poems capture school experiences through verses about teachers, homework, friendships, and classroom scenarios that reflect real student life.

🌟 The book features poems by members of the "Liverpool Poets" movement of the 1960s, including Brian Patten and Roger McGough, who helped make poetry more accessible and popular among younger readers 🎨 Each section of poems is accompanied by unique illustrations from different artists, including Quentin Blake, who is famous for illustrating Roald Dahl's books 📚 Michael Rosen, one of the featured poets, served as Children's Laureate from 2007-2009 and has written over 140 books 🎭 The Liverpool Poets often performed their work alongside rock bands in the 1960s, bringing poetry to nightclubs and helping create a new form of performance poetry 🌍 The collection includes poems that deal with both silly, humorous subjects and deeper themes like growing up, change, and understanding the world, making it appealing to both children and adults