Michael Rosen
Waterstones Children's Laureate from 2007 to 2009
Michael Rosen is one of the best-known figures not only in the children's book world but also the British arts scene. His first book of children's poems was published in 1974, and he has gone on to write numerous award winning children's poetry books, picture books and non-fiction, such as Quick, Let's Get Out of Here and We're Going on a Bear Hunt.
Alongside this he performs, teaches, lectures, presents Word of Mouth on Radio 4 and reviews books for the Guardian. In 2007, Michael was appointed the fifth Children's Laureate: a role he used to become an 'ambassador of fun'.
Books
Bilal’s Brilliant Bee
Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Tony Ross
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 7-9
Reading age: 7-9
One night, just before Bilal's latest test at school, Bumble the brilliant bee appears. He can answer any question at all! Typical of Michael Rosen, this book is funny, sly and gloriously accompanied by Tony Ross' bold illustrations.
Choosing Crumble
Author: Michael Rosen
Illustrator: Tony Ross
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 7+
A charming twist on the familiar theme of a young girl wanting a dog.
Even More Nonsense
Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Clare Mackie
Publisher: Hachette
Interest age: 5+
Reading age: 6+
Following the success of their first Book of Nonsense, Michael Rosen and Clare Mackie have joined forces once again to create this spectacular collection of humorous poems.
Michael Rosen's Big Book of Bad Things
Author: Michael Rosen
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 7+
Some poems are funny, some desperately sad. But in Rosen's hands, small, scruffy words you don't even notice gain extra weight and meaning...
Something's Drastic
Author: Michael Rosen
Illustrator: Tim Archbold
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 5+
Reading age: 7+
A diverse selection of fun and lively poems for children
The Bus is for Us!
Author: Michael Rosen
Illustrator: Gillian Tyler
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 2-6
Reading age: 7
With bold, easy to read rhyming text and beautiful pictures to fire the imagination, this book, exploring all manner of transport and adventure, is one to be treasured and shared.
The Wicked Tricks of Till Owlyglass
Author: Michael Rosen
Illustrator: Fritz Wegner
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 7-10
Reading age: 8+
Atmospheric pen and ink illustrations show how Till's clever tricks made people laugh and cry, made him very rich as well as very poor and did a good job of exposing cheats and charlatans.
Tiny Little Fly
Author: Michael Rosen
Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
Interest age: 4+
Reading age: 4+
Tiny Little Fly zips between the elephant's nose and the tiger's claw, outwitting all of the other animals in this beautifully-designed picture book.
We're Going on a Bear Hunt (book and CD)
Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Publisher: Walker Books
A great audio-visual pack which comprises a book and a CD. With fun actions and repetitive rhyming text, this awardwinning classic is particularly good for sharing with several children together, but guaranteed to be loved by any child.
Wolfman
Author: Michael Rosen
Illustrator: Chris Mould
Publisher: Red Squirrel Books
Interest age: 4+
Reading age: 6+
Wolf Man has escaped from his cage and is wrecking the town. All of the people in the town are scared and are rushing to hide indoors. The dyslexia-friendly features make this book highly accessible.