WE ARE POETS! by Helên Thomas The Poetry Kit's Book of the Month, June '08 * Latest collection from the 2000 Manchester Poetry Festival Slam champion * Based on the acclaimed We Are Poets! show for schools * Includes over 20 illustrations * Backed by performances and workshops through Creative Women’s Network UK All of the poems in this book have been performed in schools by dynamic performance poetry duo We Are Poets! The duo comprises of proper, posh poet Penelope Page and grubby, street poet Gabby Mouth. Penelope Page thinks she’s posh. She likes to use her imagination to write poetry about ice cream, fruit bats and lovely toyshops. Gabby Mouth has scabby knees and writes about ladies who burp and people who don’t wash. The poems have been performed to critical acclaim: I love your poems so much, I think you deserve a treat. Year 1 pupil at Holy Spirit Primary School, Merseyside Year 4 haven’t stopped writing poetry since! Year 4 teacher at St. Oswald’s School, Netherton Your lively and enthusiastic poetry really was a breath of fresh air! We will miss you! KS1 teacher at Forefield Infants School, Crosby Now, at last, Penny and Gabby have joined forces to publish their poems in this lovely book, although for some reason, they have chosen to do so using the rather dull nom de plume of Helên Thomas. For more information about We Are Poets! go to www.creativewomensnetwork.co.uk/CWNWeArePoets.htm This book of young people's verse will have your sprogs agog with humour both cheeky and endearing. The right side of risky and just a little frisky, We Are Poets! by Helên Thomas promises mirth from the offset. You'd be a bad parent if you didn't buy this book. Chloe Poems Buy now at £5.99 with free p&p DIRT MAGNET What’s the point of earwax, And the slime that’s up my nose? Why can’t I plant a seed in there, And see if something grows? Why is my belly button Full of fluff and goo? Why do spilt spaghetti hoops Stick to me like glue? Why is there always custard Dried upon my chin? And why do I make so much gas That’s better out than in? Why is there always soil And grass stains on my knees? Why do my socks get scuffed with oil And always smell like cheese? Why is half the garden Underneath my nails? And why does my hair tangle Like a mesh of mad rats’ tails? Why is that place behind my ears Always thick with grime. And why is my grey, unwashed neck Worse than any crime? Where does all that dust come from That’s in between my toes, And why is there so much of it? My Mum says that she knows The reason I’m so grungy, It’s a power I exert, The muck’s attracted to me, I’m a magnet for the dirt! Helên sets about planting seeds with this super collection of contemporary poetry for children. She is well known for her entertaining and thought provoking poetry readings and school theatre and with this book sets about translating some of her energy, enthusiasm and playfulness to the page. Playing with structure and form she produces magical poetry which shows how relevant poetry can be. It's fun, it's amazing, it's Helên on top form. Some great illustrations by Paul Neads. This is a collection that should be in every school library. Jim Bennet, The Poetry Kit Available by mail order & secure on-line purchase Poetry/Children's | Mucusart Publications | ISBN 978 0 9555092 0 9 | 148x210mm | paperback | 52pp | February 2008 | RRP £5.99 Text © Helên Thomas 2008 | Illustrations © Paul Neads 2008 Back to: Lit Shop