I Tell Myself I'm Awesome: Poems for your mind
by Joshua Seigal, illustrated by Chris Piascik
Interest age: 7 to 12
Reading age: 7+
Published by Bloomsbury Education, 2026
About this book
I have a spicy mind. It doesn't / do what people tell it to.
This poetry collection is 'for your mind', which means that not only are all sorts of emotions explored, so is the concept of your mind not always being an easy place to be. And, importantly, playful poetic forms, pleasing rhymes and 'stretch vocabulary' will entertain and even challenge your mind.
Subjects range from brave dogs to sleepy sloths, to stage fright, to the warm feeling of being with a loving grandparent, to being cheered by up a dad being silly, and even to being exasperated by your own mind. With a sprinkling of school, space, families, pets and everything in between.
Throughout, Joshua Seigal doesn't shy away from 'difficult words', stretching the reader's knowledge in an interesting way. Plus, there is a lot of wordplay and humour, as well as more moving poems. It's a playful collection of poems that would be inspiring to share with a class.
More books like this
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Who Let the Words Out?
by Joshua Seigal, illustrated by Chris Piascik
9 to 14 years
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Scared?
by Neal Zetter and Joshua Seigal, illustrated by Zoe Williams
9 to 14 years
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I Bet I Can Make You Laugh
By Joshua Seigal and friends, illustrated by Tim Wesson
5 to 14 years
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Rapunzel is a Lettuce
by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Shirley Hottier
7 to 14 years
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