Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 971847804860 £12.99
This latest collaboration between experienced poet and illustrator is a supersonic romp through creative wordplay about space. Twenty-six poems from writers familiar and not introduce us to Spaceman McTavity, the mind-boggling menu from Greasy Pete’s Space Take-Away, the worst monsters in the Universe such as the dreaded Drob of Drooble, while also introducing us to the rules of intergalactic Squibble-ball. The familiar cow from the nursery rhyme is no longer prepared to jump over the moon with a fish and a spoon, the witch on her supersonic broom made a cosmic mistake, but the outer space garage sale sounds out of this world! This collection is great fun, full of wonderful rhymes and fabulous made up words. It also speaks to the techno-savvy youngsters in classrooms today with the Email from the Space Hotel, Flurp Blurp’s narrator who will ‘update my status very soon’, not to mention the Texter Terrestrial sending its outlandish squiggle texts. Fun with language, combined with Paul’s brilliantly original, colourful and outlandish illustrations make this a very appealing anthology for children in KS2. Linked with Simon Bartram’s Spaceman Bob books or Mini Grey’s Traction Man, science topics on space too, there is a huge amount of drama, creative and non-fiction writing which could be covered in a half term. Getting children hooked into poetry is a challenge, but I sometimes wonder why such anthologies cannot also include more sombre or thought-provoking poems. Surely children can explore more than just fun and silliness?
Sue Barrett, retired teacher and lecturer
