Pasted below is some publicity blurge about my new book. I hope Write Out Loud readers will take the time to read it. You can preview the book at  www.mucusart.co.uk/wap.htm

and even buy a copy if you'd like. I'm thrilled with it and the feedback so far has been great.

So, if any Write Out Louders do purchase a copy then let me know what you, and more importantly your kids, think of it.

 

WE ARE POETS! by Helên Thomas.

 

"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?"

 

Helên's much anticipated poetry collection for 7-11 year olds. 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. All of the poems in this book are written by Helên and feature in the original We Are Poets! show or in the follow up We Are Poets Stuck In The Airport!  

 

The poems were written to meet some of the requirements of the National Literacy Strategy but Helên hasn’t let that spoil the fun. The anthology is jam packed full of madcap characters such as obese fruit bats, rock star maggots, myopic professors and lots of naughty, grubby, scabby children. Throughout the book Helên showcases a number of poetic styles including narrative verse, limericks, action poems, rap and there’s even a villanelle in there, “But don’t ask me to explain how it works!” says Helên.

 

This latest collection from the 2000 Manchester Poetry Festival Slam champion includes over 20 illustrations by Paul Neads and is backed by performances and workshops through Creative Women's Network UK. For more information and a sample taster, please visit www.mucusart.co.uk/wap.htm.

 To order your copy at £5.99 via PayPal or by cheque (payable to P.Neads), both free UK p&p, please visit www.mucusart.co.uk/litshop.htm. Children's Poetry | Mucusart Publications | ISBN 978-0-9555092-0-9 | Paperback | 148mm x 210mm | 52pp | BIC YDP Code C1N79 | £5.99

 

And here's a load of testimonials:

“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 and learning from the offset.”

(Chloe Poems, Gingham Diva )

"I love your poems so much, I think you deserve a treat."

(Year 1 pupil at Holy Spirit Primary School, Merseyside.)

 

 "Thank you very much for coming in to our school. I had a great time!

The poems you performed were amazing.

I've never heard poems like them!"

(Pupil at Daresbury Primary School, Warrington.)

 

 "It was one of the best days in my life in school."

(KS2 pupil, St. Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Southport.)

 

"Your lively and enthusiastic poetry really was a breath of fresh air!

We will miss you!"

(KS1 teacher at Forefield Infants School, Crosby)

 

"Poetry from start to finish with the audience involved totally. Great pace in your performance and VERY professional. The 'positive' St. Oswald's poem was appreciated very much. We really enjoyed having you both. Well done and THANKS!"

(Teacher at St. Oswald's School, Netherton)

 

"A great performance followed by focused work later in the day and the kids loved it!"

(KS1 teacher, Christ Church C of E, Warrington.)

 

"Good value for money! The workshops were a good development of the performance and we had children performing who had never been able to speak to a large audience before."

(Teacher at Grange Infants School, Runcorn.)

 

"Year 4 haven't stopped writing poetry since!"

(Year 4 teacher at St. Oswald's School, Netherton)

 

"Thank you for two thoroughly enjoyable days. The impression you left with our children was highly evident during our poetry assembly where each class had an opportunity to perform their poems."

(KS1 teacher, Cherry Tree School, Farnworth, Bolton.)

 

For more information about 'We Are Poets!' please go to www.creativewomensnetwork.co.uk/CWNWeArePoets.htm