Other Top Writers and Poets
This page features information and contact details for the top UK children's poets and who belong to the poetry 'co-operative' called The Poets Advance. This group features professional writers who are hugely experienced in educational visits and have published widely in anthologies and individual poetry collections. By booking a Poets Advance author you will be assured of a skilled writer who will bring your school an imaginative and enjoyable poetry workshop and author visit.
This page also carries links to other writers and poets' websites from all around the world.
Gerard Benson, Poet, Storyteller (who sometimes sings!)
1274 541316 gerardjbenson@hotmail.com
1274 541316 gerardjbenson@hotmail.com
Visits: Prefers West Yorkshire or London, other areas negotiable
Age Range: KS1, KS2, KS3, Sixth Form, University, Adults
Gerard was the first ever Writer-in-Residence at the Wordsworth Trust in the Lake District. He is the founding editor of the Poems on the Underground project and the related anthologies. His collections for children include To Catch an Elephant and Omba Bolomba; he edited the anthology This Poem Doesn’t Rhyme which won the Signal Poetry Award. He has recently published his fourth collection for adults A Good Time (Smith/Doorstop Books). "The numinous quality of these poems is anchored in reality” – Times Education Supplement
Age Range: KS1, KS2, KS3, Sixth Form, University, Adults
Gerard was the first ever Writer-in-Residence at the Wordsworth Trust in the Lake District. He is the founding editor of the Poems on the Underground project and the related anthologies. His collections for children include To Catch an Elephant and Omba Bolomba; he edited the anthology This Poem Doesn’t Rhyme which won the Signal Poetry Award. He has recently published his fourth collection for adults A Good Time (Smith/Doorstop Books). "The numinous quality of these poems is anchored in reality” – Times Education Supplement
Catherine Benson, Poet, Illustrator
01274 541316 catheebenson@yahoo.co.uk
01274 541316 catheebenson@yahoo.co.uk
Visits: West Yorkshire. Other areas by arrangement
Age range: Reception, KS1, KS2.
Since leaving teaching Catherine has written poetry for both adults and children; she is widely anthologised. Her poetry pamphlet for adults, It Must Have Been a Sunday, is published by Smith/Doorstop. Her poetry for children has been broadcast and used in Poetry Society verse-speaking competitions. Under the name Cathy she illustrates children's books; she can combine writing and illustration in workshops. She has written and illustrated education material for the cross-curriculum approach and taken part in a BBC television series about painting. "Cathy Benson's accomplished black and white illustrations are witty and eye-catching" – School Librarian.
Age range: Reception, KS1, KS2.
Since leaving teaching Catherine has written poetry for both adults and children; she is widely anthologised. Her poetry pamphlet for adults, It Must Have Been a Sunday, is published by Smith/Doorstop. Her poetry for children has been broadcast and used in Poetry Society verse-speaking competitions. Under the name Cathy she illustrates children's books; she can combine writing and illustration in workshops. She has written and illustrated education material for the cross-curriculum approach and taken part in a BBC television series about painting. "Cathy Benson's accomplished black and white illustrations are witty and eye-catching" – School Librarian.
Liz Brownlee, Poet, Illustrator
lizpoet@gmail.com
lizpoet@gmail.com
Visits: Visits schools occasionally by special arrangement. Bristol, Chew Valley area.
Age Range: KS2, Yr7, Yr8, Gifted and Talented, Adults (Short sessions)
Liz has poems for children and teenagers of all ages in countless anthologies. She enjoys writing about animals and drawing them; her first solo collection about endangered animals will be published in 2011. She has 23 poems for young children on the animal enclosures at Bristol Zoo. Liz organised a poetry exhibition for Bristol Poetry Festival 2009, and can sometimes bring a giant magnetic poetry set or puzzle. Liz may be accompanied by Lola, her hypo-alert dog.
Age Range: KS2, Yr7, Yr8, Gifted and Talented, Adults (Short sessions)
Liz has poems for children and teenagers of all ages in countless anthologies. She enjoys writing about animals and drawing them; her first solo collection about endangered animals will be published in 2011. She has 23 poems for young children on the animal enclosures at Bristol Zoo. Liz organised a poetry exhibition for Bristol Poetry Festival 2009, and can sometimes bring a giant magnetic poetry set or puzzle. Liz may be accompanied by Lola, her hypo-alert dog.
Jane Clarke, Poet, Children’s author
01304 362541 jane@jane-clarke.co.uk www.jane-clarke.co.uk
01304 362541 jane@jane-clarke.co.uk www.jane-clarke.co.uk
Visits: All of UK
Age Range: Nursery, Reception, KS1, KS2
Jane's books include the award-winning picture books Gilbert the Great, Stuck in the Mud, and Knight Time, featured on Cbeebies. Her poems appear frequently in anthologies and she ghost-writes for the Working Partners group - as Rex Stone for the OUP series Dinosaur Cove and as Hayley
Daze for the Ladybird series Puddle the Naughtiest Puppy. "The children are enthralled, inspired and buzzing...” – Sandown Primary School.
Age Range: Nursery, Reception, KS1, KS2
Jane's books include the award-winning picture books Gilbert the Great, Stuck in the Mud, and Knight Time, featured on Cbeebies. Her poems appear frequently in anthologies and she ghost-writes for the Working Partners group - as Rex Stone for the OUP series Dinosaur Cove and as Hayley
Daze for the Ladybird series Puddle the Naughtiest Puppy. "The children are enthralled, inspired and buzzing...” – Sandown Primary School.
Jan Dean, Poet, Children’s author
01565 564755 glitter.poems@virgin.net www.jandean.co.uk Visits: All of UK
Age Range: KS1, KS2, Gifted and Talented, INSET, Adults
Jan is widely published in anthologies. Her collection Wallpapering the Cat (Macmillan) was a Poetry Society Children’s Bookshelf choice and was shortlisted for the CLPE prize. She runs poetry sessions in libraries and schools and performs her poems and runs workshops at festivals throughout the UK. "We have had an inspirational two days with Jan Dean.” Joy Johnson, Deputy Head, Windmill Hill Community Primary School, Runcorn.
Graham Denton, Children’s poet, Anthologist, Publisher
graham@handsup.karoo.co.uk www.handsupbooks.co.uk
graham@handsup.karoo.co.uk www.handsupbooks.co.uk
Visits: Preferably Hull & East Yorkshire Age range: KS1, KS2
Graham is a widely published children's poet whose work features in over 30 UK publications. As an anthologist his collections include Silly Superstitions (Macmillan), Wild! Rhymes that Roar (Macmillan), Orange Silver Sausage (Walker Books) & My Cat is in Love with the Goldfish (A&C Black). He has twice been short listed for the CLPE poetry award. "My class really appreciated the time you spent with them – it has captured their imagination and I am sure that their enthusiasm for reading and writing poetry will stay with them as a result” – Jon Ripley, Year 5 teacher, South Cave Primary School
Graham is a widely published children's poet whose work features in over 30 UK publications. As an anthologist his collections include Silly Superstitions (Macmillan), Wild! Rhymes that Roar (Macmillan), Orange Silver Sausage (Walker Books) & My Cat is in Love with the Goldfish (A&C Black). He has twice been short listed for the CLPE poetry award. "My class really appreciated the time you spent with them – it has captured their imagination and I am sure that their enthusiasm for reading and writing poetry will stay with them as a result” – Jon Ripley, Year 5 teacher, South Cave Primary School
John Rice, Poet, Storyteller, Photographer
01539 620929 ~ 07969 4114342 poetjohnrice@btinternet.com www.poetjohnrice.com
01539 620929 ~ 07969 4114342 poetjohnrice@btinternet.com www.poetjohnrice.com
Visits: All of UK Age Range: KSI, KS2, KS3, Gifted and Talented, University, Adult, INSET
John has published 13 books, seven of which are for children including Bears Don’t Like Bananas and Guzzling Jelly with Giant Gorbelly. He edited Scottish Poems for secondary schools. John has visited over 2,000 schools and has performed at the South Bank Centre, Edinburgh Festival, the Barbican etc. From 2008-2010 he was Poet-in-Residence in Glasgow. He offers a variety of poetry workshops and specialises in storytelling workshops to introduce the power of the Oral Tradition.
John has published 13 books, seven of which are for children including Bears Don’t Like Bananas and Guzzling Jelly with Giant Gorbelly. He edited Scottish Poems for secondary schools. John has visited over 2,000 schools and has performed at the South Bank Centre, Edinburgh Festival, the Barbican etc. From 2008-2010 he was Poet-in-Residence in Glasgow. He offers a variety of poetry workshops and specialises in storytelling workshops to introduce the power of the Oral Tradition.
Roger Stevens, Poet, Children’s author, Storyteller
01273 11571 poetryzone@googlemail.com www.poetryzone.co.uk (The Poetry Zone)
01273 11571 poetryzone@googlemail.com www.poetryzone.co.uk (The Poetry Zone)
Visits: All of UK Age Range: KS1, KS2, KS3, Gifted and Talented, University, INSET
Roger’s most recent books are On My Way to School I Saw a Dinosaur for younger children, a poetry anthology – A Million Brilliant Poems – Part One (both A&C Black) and Able Writers in Your School (Brilliant Publications) a book for teachers (with Brian Moses). Solo collections include Beware! Low Flying Rabbits Ahead and Why Otters Don't Wear Socks (Macmillan).
Roger’s most recent books are On My Way to School I Saw a Dinosaur for younger children, a poetry anthology – A Million Brilliant Poems – Part One (both A&C Black) and Able Writers in Your School (Brilliant Publications) a book for teachers (with Brian Moses). Solo collections include Beware! Low Flying Rabbits Ahead and Why Otters Don't Wear Socks (Macmillan).
Celia Warren, Poet, Anthologist, Children's author, Writer of primary classroom resources
poetry_box@yahoo.co.uk http://celiawarren.wordpress.com/
poetry_box@yahoo.co.uk http://celiawarren.wordpress.com/
Visits: Prefers South Devon, other areas by arrangement
Age range: pre-school, KS1, KS2, INSET, Adults
Celia's poetry has appeared in the small poetry press and in hundreds of children's anthologies in the UK and abroad. Her collections include Bouncing with the Budgie and Ready for a Picnic. Her poems have been used in verse-speaking contests from the UK to Hong Kong. Her poems and stories have appeared on BBC TV (Poetry Pie and Hands Up!) and on radio. She has written books for reading programmes including OUP, Collins, Pearsons and Badger, and teachers' books for Scholastic and Schofield & Sims and her anthologies include The RSPB Anthology of Wildlife Poetry.
Age range: pre-school, KS1, KS2, INSET, Adults
Celia's poetry has appeared in the small poetry press and in hundreds of children's anthologies in the UK and abroad. Her collections include Bouncing with the Budgie and Ready for a Picnic. Her poems have been used in verse-speaking contests from the UK to Hong Kong. Her poems and stories have appeared on BBC TV (Poetry Pie and Hands Up!) and on radio. She has written books for reading programmes including OUP, Collins, Pearsons and Badger, and teachers' books for Scholastic and Schofield & Sims and her anthologies include The RSPB Anthology of Wildlife Poetry.
Bernard Young, Poet, Musician
01377 217164 ~ 07711 936189 bernardyoungpoet@btinternet.com www.bernardyoung.wordpress.com
01377 217164 ~ 07711 936189 bernardyoungpoet@btinternet.com www.bernardyoung.wordpress.com
Visits: All of UK Age Range: KS1, KS2, Yr7, Yr8, Adults
Bernard is a guitar playing poet who has been writing poems and songs for ever! He leads workshops and has performed in pubs, prisons, leisure centres, libraries, schools, colleges and at many literary festivals. Bernard’s books include Brilliant (Kingston Press), Wanted Alive (Hands up Books) and Double Talk (with Trevor Millum) also from Hands up Books. "Our children have never produced such a variety of high quality poems before. Thank you.” Mrs Farey, Headteacher, Roos Primary, East Yorkshire.
Bernard is a guitar playing poet who has been writing poems and songs for ever! He leads workshops and has performed in pubs, prisons, leisure centres, libraries, schools, colleges and at many literary festivals. Bernard’s books include Brilliant (Kingston Press), Wanted Alive (Hands up Books) and Double Talk (with Trevor Millum) also from Hands up Books. "Our children have never produced such a variety of high quality poems before. Thank you.” Mrs Farey, Headteacher, Roos Primary, East Yorkshire.
Visit the Advance Poet's Blog and say hello to the poets listed above!
LINKS TO OTHER POETS / WRITER WEBSITES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
www.storydon.webs.com
Children's poetry and stories by Donald Nelson.
Children's poetry and stories by Donald Nelson.
Della writes innovative verse for aged five to a hundred and five…
lovely poems from this well-known British poet
