Month: July 2025

Poetry legend John Agard’s own selection of over 80 of his poems for younger readers, in a gift hardback edition. A legend in his own lifetime, John Agard is in a class by himself among leading poets for children. Here is a selection of 80 poems from the 1970s on, again available to entertain, delight, and challenge young readers.

From the poems, No Hickory, No Dickory, No Dock to The Last Bird, there is huge variety in this enormous range of poems from John Agard. This book will bring poetry alive to children of all ages, even though it is focussed on a younger age group.

John Agard is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and amongst other major achievements, he was awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry in 2012. A brilliant poet with an astute look on life.

Superbly evocative illustrations from Shirley Hottier, which match the theme of the poems so well.

Otter-Barry Books have always brought great poetry books for children and this is an amazing new title to have.

Love this edition and will donate the book to my favourite small school.

Sue Martin Children’s Literacy Specialist

What happens when the summer ends? With beautifully drawn characters, lyrical depictions of the natural landscape, brotherly love, family loyalty – and surfing. A powerful and thought-provoking summer read.

Rhys lives in a small town on the Devon coast, where seasonal work dries up as winter storms hit, housing is hard to come by and livelihoods are threatened by distant bureaucrats. Life is much harder for Rhys and his two younger brothers than tourists can possibly know.

It is only when surfing that Rhys finds solace in the beauty around him: the crashing waves, towering cliffs and sandy beaches. But when that solace is taken, his tinder-dry rage is soon ignited. Determined to defend his family from a life blighted by social neglect and poverty, Rhys is drawn to Dodo, a radical political activist. Before long, Rhys’ actions spiral out of control, with dire consequences for himself and those he loves.

Nicola Garrard is a poet, and author of the critically-acclaimed novels 29 Locks and 21 Miles. She grew up on the Devon coast, growing vegetables and fishing to eke out her family’s earnings. Nicola has been a teacher in Inner London for over 20 years and now lives in West Sussex with her wife, three children and dog.

Old Barn Books are an independent publisher with a great collection of books for all ages of children. On the Edge is in their YA / crossover novel in August 2025. Nicola Garrard’s writing is beautiful and she has a keen ear for teen language and concerns. You really won’t be able to put this one down!

Amazingly for me, I read to the end in two sessions, the first time for ages that I have become so entranced with a book. A must read for the summer holidays.

Sue Martin Children’s Literacy Specialist