John Agard
John Agard (born 21 June 1949 in British Guiana) is an Afro-Guyanese playwright, poet and children's writer, now living in Britain. In 2012, he was selected for the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry.
Agard grew up in Georgetown, British Guiana (now Guyana). He loved to listen to cricket commentary on the radio and began making up his own, which led to a love of language. He went on to study English, French and Latin at A-level, writing his first poetry when he was in sixth-form, and left school in 1967. Leaving school in 1967, he taught the languages he had studied and worked in a local library. His father settled in London and Agard moved to Britain with his partner Grace Nichols in 1977, settling in Ironbridge, Shropshire.
His poem Half Caste has been featured in the AQA English GCSE anthology since 2002, meaning that many students (aged 14 – 16) have studied his work for their GCSE English qualification. Agard has also turned his skills for poetry in to many children's books.
Authored Books
The Rainmaker Danced
Author: John Agard Illustrator: Satoshi Kitamura
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
The exuberant John Agard shares his infectious love for the world and its words in this new collection of poetry for children. The poems are thoughtful and thought-provoking, and like all good children’s books, they inspire questions and discussions.
Shona, Word Detective
Author: John Agard
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
A delightful celebration of lexicography in a dyslexia-friendly layout, this is a book that will surely inspire all children to find the fun in words and language.
My Name is Book
Author: John Agard
Illustrator: Neil Packer
Publisher: Walker Books
If you are intrigued as to how sheep and birds have played important roles in the recording of the written word then this is the definitely the book for you!
Come All You Little Persons
Author: John Agard Illustrator: Jessica Courtney-Tickle
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Captivating and vibrant illustrations complement the lyrical text in this joyous, inclusive story by celebrated poet John Agard. Perfect for reading aloud at bedtime, this book celebrates childhood and the natural world in all its rich diversity.
Goldilocks on CCTV
Author: John Agard
Illustrator: Satoshi Kitamura
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
By turns funny, poignant and insightful Agard’s poems are told with a direct and distinctive voice
Going Batty
Author: John Agard Illustrator: Michael Broad
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Dyslexia-friendly, super-readable, illustrated story about a girl whose school project (and a hidden colony in the attic) makes her face up to her greatest fear.