The River's a Singer

Jamaican-born poet Valerie Bloom has lived in the UK her whole adult life and this marvellous collection of more than 80 of her poems beautifully reflects her experiences of both cultures.  

There’s something for everyone in this slim volume, which features an eclectic mix of topics, such as food, animals, nature, family, and so much more.

Weather poems include 'Rain', which skilfully explores the different qualities of rainfall, from tap-dancing on the roof to pounding the ground like a cannonball, while 'The Wind' compares stormy weather to an angry, roaring lion.

A selection of poems about Christmas magnificently evokes the sights, sounds and smells of the festive season in different cultures. Readers are also sure to enjoy the rhythm and humour of the award-winning Caribbean counting poem 'Fruits', which was originally published as a picture book in 1997.  

Delicate black-and-white line drawings feature throughout, adding visual interest. A contents page and index of first lines make it easy to navigate to a particular poem, and a useful glossary explains some of the Caribbean terminology which may not be familiar to all readers.