Top Reads for 2009:

SELECTED BY MICHAEL ROSEN, ILLUSTRATED BY PAUL HOWARD
CLASSIC POETRY: AN ILLUSTRATED COLLECTION
WALKER BOOKS 2009, £9.99 (PBK),
ISBN 9781406317435
This collection of some of the most powerful poems written in the English language is beautifully designed and sensitively illustrated. An informative read with biographical sketches and useful notes. 8+

Selected by Paul B. Janeczko ,
Illustrated by Chris Raschka

A KICK IN THE HEAD, AN EVERYDAY GUIDE TO POETIC FORMS
CANDLEWICK PRESS, £9.99 (PBK), ISBN 9780763641320
This is a fun collection of poems where rebellious poets have subverted the rules of poetic form. A rich and imaginative read with wonderful Asian-inspired illustrations. 8+

Top Reads for 2008:

MARGARET MAHY, ILLUSTRATED BY POLLY DUNBAR
BUBBLE TROUBLE
FRANCES LINCOLN, £11.99 (PBK), ISBN 9781845077587
SEPTEMBER 2008
Margaret Mahy, one of the most outstanding writers for children today, and acclaimed illustrator Polly Dunbar team up in this wonderful book.
‘ Little Mable blew a bubble and it caused a lot of trouble … Where it bobbled over baby and it wafted him away.’ The story flows along in hilarious and often tongue-twisting rhyme as the people of the town try to get the baby down from the bubble safe and sound. A fun, richly imaginative book for 3-5 year olds.

SÉAMUS CASHMAN (ED)                            
ILLUSTRATED BY CORRINA ASKIN & ALAN CLARKE
SOMETHING BEGINNING WITH P: NEW POEMS FROM IRISH POETS
THE O’BRIEN PRESS, €14.99 (PBK), ISBN 9781847170927
The newly-issued paperback edition of ‘Something Beginning with P’ is a book full of words and wonder. Featuring a new cover illustration this is an anthology in which the pictures and poems dance around each other in delight. All the work was especially commissioned for the book and the combined result makes the pieces leap off the page. Suitable for readers and listeners up to twelve-years-old, this book can equally be read from by parents or be used in the classroom