Books For Keeps
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Articles
  • Past Issues
  • Latest Issue
  • Authors and Artists
  • Latest News
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
March 12, 2021/in Poetry 8-10 Junior/Middle /by Ellie
BfK Rating:
BfK 247 March 2021
Reviewer: Ferelith Hordon
ISBN: 978-1913102432
Price: £6.99
Publisher: Firefly Press
Genre: Poetry
Age Range: 8-10 Junior/Middle
Length: 80pp
Buy the Book

Daydreams and Jellybeans: Poems to be Read Aloud

Author: Alex WhartonIllustrator: Katy Riddell

‘I saw sounds at night/altering the shapes of trees…’ –‘When she leaves/ home, her footsteps/are whispers upon/stone…’ – these are just a couple of opening lines from poems in this anthology by the poet Alex Wharton. What a delight. The title proclaims ‘Poems to read aloud’ – and this the case. The forms may seem traditional – frequently four line stanzas that while seeming to conform to a traditional metre are subtly edgy and offbeat – like speech. Then there are poems that might even be prose – take the wonderful Spiders – others that are shape poems tracing the subject visually on the page. There is no one way to appreciate Alex Wharton’s work. Humour is often seen as the key to attracting a young audience. There is plenty of humour here but married to a reflective lyrical approach around subjects ranging from the natural world to the homeless man on the corner and the trapper children who worked in the mines. Katy Riddell’s deft, lively illustrations add to the pleasure, picking out details, expressions, moments – another dimension to the words.
(And a bonus – a final flourish – a couple of winning poems from two young poets).

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png 0 0 Ellie http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png Ellie2021-03-12 19:42:352021-04-07 19:46:52Daydreams and Jellybeans: Poems to be Read Aloud

Search for a specific review

Author Search

Search







Generic filters




Filter by Member Types


Book Author

Download BfK Issue BfK 263 November 2023
Skip to an Issue:

About Us

Launched in 1980, we’ve reviewed hundreds of new children’s books each year and published articles on every aspect of writing for children.

Read More

Follow Us

Latest News

Latest CLPE Reflecting Realities survey shows sustained upward trend in the volume of inclusive literature for children

November 30, 2023

Winners of 2023 SLA Information Book Award

November 23, 2023

Nero Book Awards Announce Inaugural Shortlist

November 21, 2023

Contact Us

Books for Keeps,
30 Winton Avenue,
London,
N11 2AT

Telephone: 0780 789 3369

ISSN: 0143-909X (this is our International Standard Serial Number).

© Copyright 2023 - Books For Keeps | Proudly Built by Lemongrass Media - Web Design Buckinghamshire
Stars with Flaming Tails Flyntlock Bones: The Eye of Mogdrod
Scroll to top