Don’t Poke a Worm Till It Wriggles

Wordplay, odd rhymes and a fondness for small crawling things run through Celia Warren's collection of poems for children. The verses are short, varied in shape and built to be read aloud, with punchlines that land more sharply when spoken than when read silently. Warren moves between nonsense, observation and gentle comedy, which gives a class or a family plenty to choose from depending on the mood. Poems of this length also make a useful bridge for children who find a full story daunting but will happily finish a page and ask for another. Quick facts for buyers: • Short poems suited to reading aloud in class or at bedtime • Mixes nonsense verse with wry observation of everyday things • Useful for children who prefer finishing a page to finishing a chapter • Plenty of material for poetry lessons and performance practice Suited to primary-age children, teachers planning poetry units and parents encouraging a feel for rhythm and language; published by Bloomsbury and available at Boipoka.