I’ve got four children, two older boys (14 and 13) and the Dids, as the little ones are collectively known as (7 and 6). I’ve just put together a little poetry anthology called ‘Promise me the Stars’ which is full of beautiful, uplifting poems that I love, and want children to know and be familiar with.
The book idea arrived in my head, one night last autumn. I had the most blissful time through the cold winter gathering these exquisite poems, and whilst my elder children assured me no-one would buy a book of poetry, I pressed on regardless.
Although the teenagers kept their enthusiasm for the book well hidden (non existent), one of them writes a lot of poetry and the other gave me his favourite poem for the book. They do, as much as they won’t admit it, enjoy poetry. It’s been a part of their life, through books and what I have read to them.
I read to the little ones every night, and sometimes throw a poem in at the end, believing that they can hopefully go to sleep with the wonderful images in their consciousness.
I think the best way with children is not to explain things too much, just read to them things you love. The Dids rate the poems in my book by waving their thumbs up or down. They love knowing they can give their honest opinion about the poems, and it doesn’t matter either way. They just enjoy rating the poems freely, and I enjoy them having their own opinions about things. Images stick in their heads and I love that. They love the funny poem best that their big brother wrote called ‘the naughty brother’.
As with all things that their mother loves, whether it’s my Qi Gong, meditation or poetry, my children are bound to say they think it’s weird. The important thing I think is to press on, it doesn’t deter me at all, and I don’t try and force it on them. I just carry on, loving the things I do, and one day they might surprise me and introduce their own children to the joys that it brings.
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Poppy creates an award winning biscuit cake which is not to be missed and her book on 10 minute suppers is a favourite with our gang. Is there no end to the talents of this mother of four? You can order both (when in stock) through Poppy's website
To WIN a copy of Promise me the Stars simply follow us on instagram and tag a friend and a winner will be announced on Friday 8th November
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