Double, double, toil and trouble,
Fire burn and cauldron bubble …
Words hold a unique sort of magic, strong enough to cast a spell over their reader and transport them to worlds and lives far from their own. Magic has been a subject of subject of poetry for centuries, as this anthology proves. Classic lines from Shakespeare sit alongside brand new work by modern day writers. This blend of work introduces the reader to new favourites and challenges them to think about what magic might look like in different settings.
Ravens and magic carpets sit alongside internet-savvy witches and spells to make grouchy older sisters combust.
Themed anthologies are fantastic. They create a mood while still giving young readers access to a range of voices and styles. It is like going to a sweet shop and picking a flavour, like mint, then taking every mint sweet available – humbugs and peppermint creams, mint thins and buttermints. I remember books like this being important during childhood because they remind young readers that poetry is an expression of who we are. And if we’re going through a magic stage, words can reflect it.
In terms of older poetry, I was delighted to see a contribution by Mary Elizabeth Coleridge – The Witch. Her use of landscape combines with the suffering of her female protagonist, and of girls generally to create vivid atmosphere and a piece that can be read on multiple levels. This would be a great companion piece to readings of The Little Match Girl as a way to introduce the themes and hint to the reader that this isn’t a happy poem.
There are many great newer poems here, and lots that will get the target audience giggling, groaning, and rolling words on their tongues. A personal favourite was Proper Wand Care by A.F. Harold about the risk of wands developing their own mind.
A delightful selection of poetry that will get young poets weaving magic with rhythm and rhyme this Halloween.
- Fire Burn, Cauldron Bubble by Paul Cookson and Eilidh Muldoon is available now from Bloomsbury Education. RRP £12.99 (Copy received for review as part of a promotional blog tour)
