This text is designed to help teachers to teach children to write expressive, vital poetry, and the examples of children's writing (by pupils aged 9-11) show what can be achieved if teachers encourage their pupils and believe in their capabilities. Each of the 26 chapters could form the basis for at least one lesson, and particular emphasis is placed on the teaching of forms and techniques to show that poetry is a craft which can to a certain extent be learned. The chapters are arranged to allow an overall development in difficulty through the book.