I think my favourite moments of inspiration are when nonsense and reality collide. #WorldBookDay Updated version 1.3.22 : Inspired by childhood and written to escape a crazy world for an hour or two... Chicken Licken’s Chicken Shop Chicken Licken’s Chicken Shop is where the hungry chickens stop Chickens leave The Chicken Club and rush to get their chicken grub Chickens flap, “We need to eat!” and hiccup down to Chicken Street Hen night parties chuckle-chirp through clouds of

If you've read anything on here before, you'll know Brian Moses is a bit if a hero for me. Not only did I begin my teaching career reading his poems to children, in later years Mr. Moses encouraged me to believe in myself and my poetry. He sometimes even accepts my submissions to his brilliant online anthologies: Spring, Olympic Sport, Poems for Early Years and even made his guest poet once. His latest online anthology is full of Valentine's Day Poems by brilliant contemporar

Thanks to Ventorros Press for sending me an advance copy of The Slow Superhero, written by Sarah Surgey and illustrated by Sayani Mukherjee , due for release in April. This a captivating tale about a young girl who rushes through her life at lightening speed. It's also the story of you and me. Maud, like many of us, is in such a rush to be everywhere first, she forgets to enjoy the finer details that make life so special. Luckily, Maud knows a wise, old tree that helps her sl

I went to see Lemn Sissay at The Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith on Sunday. He was incredible; a total inspiration. One minute I was guffawing, the next I was rediscovering long forgotten corners of consciousness. As he read his final poem, "Suitcases and Muddy Parks," I held back the tears. That poem lit up my childhood receptors like a 70's pinball machine. I left with wonder sparked and portals to past emotions blown wide open. Back at home, I couldn't stop thinking about Lem