On 8 October 2009 we celebrated National Poetry Day - and to tie in, we thought we'd bring together some of the best resources and features on the Booktime site.
"Words have their own tricky spirit, and inside the simple word 'Read', you'll find hidden the words 'Dear' 'Ear' and 'Dare' - three little reminders to parents of the joy of reading with their children.
Not only will parent and child be sharing a memorably dear moment. But through reading together, you will dare a young imagination to enter other worlds and look at life through many eyes. All this, while exciting the ear and fostering the precious gift of how to listen. Booktime means quality bonding time. And what better start than nursery rhymes as companions along the incantatory road of poetry."
- John Agard, poet featured in the Booktime Book of Fantastic First Poems (photo copyright Penguin)
Over the last two years we have given out more than 1.4 million poetry books to children - with The Booktime Book of Fantastic First Poems. It's the abridged version of The Puffin Book of Fantastic First Poems which was our Book of the Month for October. You can read our review and even leave your own.
Around on the Booktime site you'll find some choice pages on poetry:
Activity sheets for the Booktime Book of Fantastic First Poems
Booky's World has a fantastic games section including a fun family rhyme activity
View videos of Michael Rosen reading from the Booktime poetry book - including 'Hey Diddle Diddle' and 'My Dad's Thumb'
Teachers can view tips from Michael about how to make poetry friendly classrooms
Read independent education consultant Wendy Cooling's top tips for reading poetry to children
Our Books for All booklet has a special section of recommended books about rhyme and songs
View the Booktrust Children's site's top ten poetry books for more recommendations
