A diverse and inclusive collection of original poems for younger children by a top performance poet
Would you like to eat a caterpillar cake? Join a rocket race into space? See crazy crocodiles at the zany zoo or play with a furry, purry cat? Wherever these 16 fun-filled poems lead you, they will brighten your day.
"Im sure that you will agree that there can never be too many poetry books for young readers. This one is particularly delightful with an eye-catching front cover showing a happy little girl facing out to welcome in the reader. All sixteen poems aresimple, with distinct patterns that will make them memorable for even the youngest reader. All book-loving parents and practitioners know that babies respond to strong rhythmic language from day one (if not before). I loved them all for different reasons."
-- Karen Argent * The Letterpress Project *"Poetry for younger readers is always welcome in classrooms...The bright and colourful illustrations are joyous and lend themselves perfectly to the fun poems inside. Children will love listening to and performing the poems within. Titles include Zany Zoo, This Little Pencil and Bathtime. All easy to read, understand and enjoy. A few of these could become routine poems said aloud as part of the day!"
* My Shelves Are Full *"Perfect for reading aloud to young children and once theyre familiar, perhaps those in KS1 could read some to one another. Whichever you do, take time not just to enjoy Matts writing but also debuting illustrator Krina Patel-Sages inclusive, vibrant digitally created illustrations.
If you want to engender a love of language, this is definitely one to add to early years settings, KS1 classrooms, and family bookshelves (if you have little ones)."
* Red Reading Hub *"The book contains a wonderful range of poems which are instantly appealing to younger children. Full of humour and closely observed detail, they capture the joy of eating a really gooey cake, the thrill of skimming a stone, the flying feeling of being on a swing, the fun of bath time The rhyme and rhythm of each verse are perfect for joining in with, lending themselves to performing and enjoying. An amazing collection from an amazing poet, Caterpillar Cake is a poetry collection for everyone to enjoy."
* North Somerset Teachers' Book Award *"Caterpillar Cake, beautifully illustrated by Krina Patel-Sage... it's such a perfect collection for Early Readers, get one into your Early Years and KS1 classrooms!"
-- Charlotte Hacking (CLPE) * via Twitter *"The illustrations by Krina Patel-Sage burst off the page in joyful colour. A vibrant palette and strong images complement the words bringing them to life before they are spoken. The whole design of this book is a delight... A book to really enjoy and one that should not be hidden but easily found among the picture books ready for storytime."
* Books for Keeps *"..a joyful collection of poetry that will have a wide appeal... filled with poems written to be shared aloud...Caterpillar Cakeis vibrantly illustrated and is inviting to look at, as well as read. Its characters show diversity, so any child can see themselves in the pictures and poetry. It would be a welcome staple in the early years and primary year 1 classroom with its lightness and fun."
* Just Imagine *Matt Goodfellowis an award-winning poet and former primary school teacher whose high-energy performances have captivated thousands of children in schools, libraries and at book festivals across the UK. His previous books for Otter-Barry Books areChicken on the Roof, Being Me: Poems about Thoughts, Worries and Feelings (with Liz Brownlee and Laura Mucha), shortlisted for the CLiPPA Award 2022, the Yoto Kate Greeenaway shortlisted picture bookShu Lin's Grandpa (illustrated by Yu Rong) and the best-selling verse novel for readers of nine-plus,The Final Year. Matt lives in Stockport, Cheshire.
Krina Patel-Sage is an illustrator, designer and author, whose artwork is created digitally, using Photoshop. In 2018 she was shortlisted for Penguin's Write Now Illustration prize. FollowingCaterpillar Cake, her second picture book for Otter-Barry Books isLove is all we Need, published in May 2024.Krinahas two young sons and lives in London.