Fresh

The poems in this debut collection explore familiar feelings with a sensitive and light touch which will resonate with young readers.

The joy to be found in the everyday is celebrated in poems such as Lazy Sundays, Fridays in the Park and Kitchen Disco. More challenging situations are addressed too, including the ups and downs of friendship, the strangeness of moving house and even the loss of a loved one in Difficult Words. There is reassurance that not everything in life will go to plan but that’s okay. The importance of making a fresh start when you are feeling down is the focus of the titular poem which beautifully describes the wonder of something new or fresh such as ‘snow without footprints’ or ‘beds with fresh sheets.’

A range of types of poetry is included, including lists, haiku and kennings; there are poems in the form of letters, invitations, recipes, surveys, definitions, puzzles and even mathematical equations (for example leaving your house – a coat = so much rain you need your own boat!) The use of rhyme is effortless and there is wonderful word play to be enjoyed too such as in the humorous poem about shopping for toilet trees (or in other words ‘toiletries.’)

A varied, perceptive and engaging poetry collection wonderfully illustrated by the always fabulous Chris Riddell.