Stars With Flaming Tails

by Valerie Bloom, illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max

Interest age: 6 to 11
Reading age: 7+

Published by Otter-Barry, 2021

  • Poetry and rhyme

About this book

This is a poignant and highly recommended anthology of poetry for children, filled with verse which is as moving as it is fun to read aloud.

There's a wonderful alphabet poem about Adam who has an accident and everyone from Bernie to Zavier has their own diagnosis; there are limericks, riddles, and less well-known forms such as elfke (a Dutch poem for children featuring only 11 words). Elsewhere, an ethereal tale such as about the ‘Isle of Negatyves’ where dangerous Kantdos can be targeted with an ointment of Willdos speaks to children who have experienced anxiety and self-doubt.

These are poems to suit every mood, switching from big topics such as the secrets the sun tells the moon to laughter about throwing pancakes so they stick on the ceiling. Bold and seriously stylish illustrations perfectly complement each poem, great and small, in this powerful and memorable collection.

The best poems have a magic power in the words which makes us want to read them again and again. This is a must-have collection by Valerie Bloom - who has managed to put into words how we all feel.

About the author

Valerie Bloom is the prize-winning author of poetry for adults and children, plus picture books, pre-teen and teenage novels and stories for children. She has presented poetry programmes for the BBC, among others. Her poetry has been featured by Poems on the Underground; included on school courses in the UK (GCSE), the Caribbean and Malaysia; and published in over 500 anthologies worldwide.

Valerie lives in Kent and performs her work and runs writing workshops in primary and secondary schools, libraries and universities around the world.

She is the winner of The Voice Community Award for Literature, has been awarded an Honorary Masters Degree from the University of Kent, and received an MBE in 2008.

More books like this

Lists of recommended reads

Share this page Twitter Facebook LinkedIn