Karen Book

New Book – A ‘How To’ for Teachers and Librarians

The Poetry Guide by Trevor Millum and Bernard Young Book Cover

I am pleased to share here that I have a new book, written with my good pal and Double Talk partner, Trevor Millum, illustrated by Twink Addison.

The Poetry Guide – A ‘How To’ for Teachers and Librarians.

This lively guide is packed with practical suggestions for teachers and librarians on how to effectively and creatively teach poetry to kids. It’s also a ‘how to’ book aimed at encouraging children to seek out and read poetry, whether to read or to listen to.

The Poetry Guide is both practical and fun. It’s also full of tried and tested ideas from a ‘double act’ of poets with a wealth of experience in delivering inspiring workshops and events to a wide range of children in a variety of contexts.

To find out more and order multiple copies, please have a look at the page about the book on Troika Books’ website: https://www.troikabooks.com/the-poetry-guide. The book is also available from Amazon.

The Poetry Guide –
A How To Guide for Teachers and Librarians
Written by Trevor Millum and Bernard Young
Illustrated by Twink Addison
Publication date: October 2020
Ages: 7+ years
Format: Paperback / 198 x 130 mm / 96 pages
ISBN: 978-1-912745-09-8
Rights available: World
UK retail price: £8.99

Karen Poem

Bank Holiday Lockdown

White cat crossing the road

Bank Holiday Lockdown

Why is this cat crossing the road?
Because he can.
It’s so quiet he doesn’t even
need to use the Green Cross Code.

In ‘normal’ times there’d be caravan
after caravan pouring in.
There’d be huge 4x4s, coaches, motorbikes,
cars with windows down and music blaring.

But in Wales we’re still locked down, which is why
this road is free from jams and noise.
Usually business would be brisk, takings high,
with us residents staying home by choice

and spending our weekend doing indoor things;
outside (too manic!) is for the visitors to enjoy.
The calm that the end of the holiday brings
is what we’d be longing for. But oh boy,

there’s a price being paid for the peace
we’re appreciating this year.
Though I think it’s wise not to ease
the rules still being enforced here.

Hopefully, in the not too distant future, this cat
will once more be forced to watch his step
and we’ll again be feeling annoyed that
it’s far too busy and please can it stop.

Karen Classroom ideas, School visit

Time to Book a Poet for World Book Day 5th March 2020

Image with words World Book Day Thursday 5 March Save the date

Every year World Book Day is the first Thursday in March – this year the date is Thursday 5th March. There are lots of resources for primary schools on the UK World Book Day website here: https://www.worldbookday.com/resources/primary/

I’ve already had enquiries about that week, so if you are thinking you might like a poet to come into your school to liven things up, please do contact me early to avoid disappointment.

In 2019 I had a busy week around World Book Day and spent the day itself at Greenfield Primary in Hyde near Manchester. Here is a write up about that day:
https://bernardyoung.co.uk/2019/03/07/world-book-day-at-greenfield-primary/

Karen Poem, School visit

The Work of a Poet

Cockton Hill Infants School

Work

Sometimes I jump in my car
and head off to a school
with my poetry books and guitar.

As a rule
I have a fantastic time.

I perform some of my poems.
Then we write poems that rhyme
and poems that don’t
and some poems that are songs.

Children work in pairs
or small groups
or alone.

We get together near the end of the day
and the young poets perform their fresh new poems,
with a partner or several friends,
or on their own.

I’m told such a day gives them a break
from their usual lessons.

Then I go home
and count my blessings.

 

This poem first appeared on blipfoto.com on 1st Nov 2016

Karen Classroom ideas

Tell the truth, are you ready for National Poetry Day (3rd October)?

I hope you have all had wonderful holidays. Teachers will be thinking about going back to work, planning a few lessons, probably. I hope you will be thinking about some poetry orientated lessons for National Poetry Day, which is coming up on Thursday 3rd October. If you need a little help, there are some FREE LESSON PLANS and other resources for National Poetry Day on the NPD website.

The theme this year is TRUTH. There are some poems on that theme on the NPD website here: https://nationalpoetryday.co.uk/poems/poems/ 

I still have some availability that week, if you want me to come to your school to perform and run workshops, but contact me soon to avoid disappointment.

Karen Book, Poem

Was Neil Armstrong really the first person to walk on the moon?

Moon and clouds decorative

On 20th July 2019 it will be the 50th anniversary of Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin landing on the moon. Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon on 20th July 1969. However, I have a tale to tell of the first woman on the moon ten years earlier.

The First Woman on the Moon

Little known fact:
the first woman on the moon
was Mabel Greensmith.

She went up there in a dream
in 1959
and when she woke up
she knew her dream was true.

Mabel was my Mum’s best friend
so, of course, she told my Mum
all about going to the moon
and my Mum told me.
And then we all forgot about it.

However, ten years later, in 1969,
when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon
(‘one giant leap for mankind’)
it was regarded as a big deal.

But he went up in a proper rocket
and had to wear a spacesuit
whereas Mabel did her moon walking
wearing only a pair of slippers
and a flannelette nightie,
and with her hair in rollers.

If Mabel had been in the papers
and on TV
it would have been great
but she wasn’t one for a lot of fuss
and continued to live quietly
as one of us.

Though it’s a shame she didn’t leave a slipper
or one of her rollers up there
for Neil Armstrong to discover.
That really would have put the earth cat
among the moon pigeons.

This poem appears in Moonstruck edited by Roger Stevens recently published by Otter-Barry Books.

Image link to order on Amazon.co.uk
Cover Image of Moonstruck
Karen Book

New Anthology of Poems About Space – Spaced Out!


I’m pleased to have 2 poems in this book that is to be published on 16th May –
Spaced Out: Space poems chosen by Brian Moses and James Carter from Bloomsbury Education.

“Blast off into space and explore the galaxies with a constellation of illustrated poems about the sun, moon and stars, black holes and worm holes, asteroids and meteorites, and even weird alien life forms.

From shape poems and free verse to rhymes, kennings and haikus, Spaced Out will take you on an intergalactic adventure. Join Brian Moses and James Carter and a wealth of new and established poets to discover your inner space cadet!

This starry collection is the perfect way to get children interested in poetry.”

See on Bloomsbury

Karen Poem

Spare a thought for all the hardworking poets on World Poetry Day 21 March

Man at desk with title text It's a tough job being a poet

Tough

It’s a tough job being a poet.
I’m surprised it’s not better paid.
Perhaps there should be guided tours of workshops
so non-poets can see how poems are made?

There’s no respite if you’re a poet.
You’re working all the time.
You have to get on it if there’s a call for a sonnet.
And people expect you to rhyme.

It’s more demanding than being a surgeon.
It’s harder than digging a road.
We deserve much longer holidays than teachers.
It can be stressful writing an ode.

We sometimes work until lunchtime
if we need to complete a quatrain.
Yes, it’s a tough job being a poet
but you’ll never hear us complain.

Remember a poet can be an enthusiastic inspiring addition to your classroom all year round, not just for World Poetry Day. If you’d like to know what I can do in your school, please contact me.

Karen School visit

Celebrating World Book Day at Greenfield Primary

Teachers from Greenfield Primary in fancy dress

I had a brilliant time at Greenfield Primary in Hyde celebrating World Book Day. It’s always great to see teachers and kids dressed up as their favourite book characters. We kicked off, as I usually do, with a performance to the whole school. There was plenty of enthusiastic participation from pupils and staff in the hall. Through the day I did eight class workshops. Each class, from Early Years to Year 6, produced a class poem (with guitar accompaniment) of excellent standard. Subjects covered included football, their school, friendships and music.

Thank you to Mrs Stokes who was inspired to write a little verse about my visit:

Bernard Young, Bernard Young,
We really loved the songs you’ve sung.
Thank you for travelling all this way
To Greenfield Primary School today.

Karen Poem, poetry

A poem for Valentine’s Day

Tulip petals photo copyright Karen Cropper

I’m not sure if this is romantic or not. I’ll let you be the judge. Happy Valentine’s Day! (This poem is in my book, What Are You Like?).

Ooh! I Think You’re Wonderful

You’re the wings on my aeroplane
You’re the strings on my guitar
You’re the star in my night sky
You’re the fuel for my car

You’re the answer to my question
You’re the pen that writes my line
You’re the spring in my onion
You’re the tingle down my spine

You’re the zipper on my jacket
You’re the ketchup on my chips
You’re the method in my madness
You’re the promise on my lips

You’re the headline in my paper
You’re all my favourite smells
You’re the last piece in my jigsaw

Oops!

Sorry,

I thought you were someone else