BY DAWN WOODS

 

There is always room for another collection of poems for Christmas in the classroom and one illustrated by Axel Scheffler is a must-have.

New and classic poems sit side by side - poems about infant nativity plays, Christmas tree shape poems and well known carols are in this new anthology for the primary classroom.

Fr xmas' txt msg may be hard to read aloud, but raises a smile and gives a lot of scope for teachers around which to plan a lesson.

Brian Patten and Gareth Owen present new ways to view a familiar story and Christina Rossetti and William Blake offer traditional poems in one place. All these are accompanied with small vignettes from Alex Scheffler - lone donkeys, suspicious looking wise men and little angels conjuring up infant nativity plays add colour and interest. The front cover alone will ensure this book flies off the shelf as it could be that a Christmas Gruffalo is hiding round the corner.

This is not a book to be read from cover to cover, but dipped into. A parent could read aloud their favourite rhymes from childhood to ensure their own children don't miss out, older children may pick out new favourites.

I like the fact that it is not a bulky book - as so many anthologies tend to be as the editor cannot stop adding in more and more. Rather, it offers a taste of various voices to encourage a return to those poets at a later stage.

 

This book was published by Macmillan and is available to buy for £9.99. It can also be borrowed from The Hive as well as other Worcestershire libraries. Click here to check availability and check it out.