Poems to make you laugh, get you thinking and fill you with wonder - from one of the best-loved poets writing today.
I travelled once around the world
On stars with flaming tails,
And touched the colours of my dreams
Along some silver trails.
Look out for best friends, pancakes, and Grandad singing; discover a river dolphin, a poison dart frog and the most dangerous animal in the world; imagine a talking nose, meet the Zimbats of Zingley Dell and find the colour of your dreams.
Valerie Bloom is a poet whose work sings with irrepressible joy and humour.
-- Sian Williams * Children's Bookshow *Best friends, making friends, pancakes, wild animals and much more in this first solo collection from Bloom in several years, paired with Wilson-Max for the first time.
-- The Bookseller * Fiona Noble *No matter how you're feeling, you'll find something to suit your mood, or to lift you out of it perhaps. Ken Wilson-Max's black and white illustrations serve the poems well, providing an additional reason to smile wherever you open the book
* Red Reading Hub *Super! There's a huge variety of poems here...that demonstrate empathy, conservation and family. It's fun and full of imagination and we love the riddles and wordplay.
* Let Them Be Small *Valerie Bloom's perfectly painted words, accompanied by Ken Wilson-Max's thought-provoking and evocative illustrations make this a collection for every child to enjoy and find themselves in.
-- Charlotte Hacking * CLPE *Otter-Barry Books are the publishers with poetry at their heart and have put together this delightful book with two amazing people. It shows how they live up to their aims of pushing boundaries and publishing books that children will love.
* Dolphin Book Blog *No matter how you're feeling, you'll discover something to suite your mood, or to lift you out of it perhaps. Ken Wilson-Max' black and white illustrations serve the poems well, providing an additional reason to smile wherever you open the book.
* Red Reading Hub *Valerie Bloom is one of Achuka's favourite poets and this is her first solo collection or several years. Bold black illustrations from Ken Wilson-Max throughout...Bloom's mastery of rhythm and rhyme and the natural way in which she slips from the concrete to the figurative, will have readers spellbound...Very highly recommended.
* Achuka Book of the Day *Funny, thoughtful and perceptive, this joyful and richly varied collection of poems by Jamaican-born poet Valerie Bloom will inspire curiosity and laughter in pupils, alongside a deep sense of wonder at the beauty and mystery of life
-- Teach PrimaryIt's a corker!
-- Pie CorbettFull of wonder, friendship, nonsense and delight.
-- Imogen Russell Williams * Guardian *A poignant and highly recommended anthology of poetry for children, filled with verse which is as moving as it is fun to read aloud...A must-have collection by Valerie Bloom...who has managed to put into words how we all feel.
* Booktrust - Books We Love *Definitely a book that I would recommend children aged 8-11 read, for the sense of exploration and curiosity it can instil in reader, its take on wordplay and poems targeting the emotional quotient of kids and of those with messages for the environment.
* Armadillo *A lovely collection, beautifully illustrated.
-- Rick Charlesworth * Primary English Lead, UKLA London rep *An excellent, varied collection.
* Books for Keeps *I highly recommend the book for both its verses and illustrations. It will bring laughter and pleasure in its reading and rereading.
* IBBY *A wonderful collection of poems full of empathy for others, conservation, the environment and rich, imaginative wordplay.
* Library Girl & Book Boy *A wonderfully vibrant collection of poetry which is funny, moving and from the heart.
* Empathy Lab *No9 in #12PoetryBooksofChristmas has to be @PoetryVal's CLiPPA @clpe1 prize winning collection Stars With Flaming Tails @OtterBarryBooks & wonderful illustrations from Ken Wilson-Max, a worthy winner in a year of tough competition. Every poem a joy & a blessing. A poetry must have.
-- Sue Hardy-Dawson * via Twitter *Born in Jamaica, Valerie Bloom is one of the most highly regarded poets writing today and is a popular performer in schools. She was awarded an MBE in the 2008 New Year Honours List. She lives in Kent, England. Ken Wilson-Max was born in Zimbabwe and is an internationally renowned children's book illustrator, author and designer and co-director of publishing house Alanna Max. He wrote and illustrated Astro Girl, winner of the 2020 STEAM award. He lives in London.