| A new poetry anthology published
by the Scottish Poetry Library in association with Black
& White Publishing.
The Thing that Mattered Most: Scottish poems for
children is a lively and imaginative anthology
packed with brand new poems that will delight and inspire
young readers. A unique collection, it is the only book
of poems for children available by contemporary poets
from Scotland, and is the ideal way to discover today's
rich variety of voices.
Almost sixty Scottish writers are represented, with
poems in English, Scots, Gaelic and Shetlandic. Featuring
established poets together with new voices, it includes
poems by Carol Ann Duffy, Jackie Kay, Matthew Fitt,
Liz Lochhead, John Burnside, James Robertson, Richard
Edwards, Julia Donaldson and many more.
"they're great poems…I've loved reading
every one of them"
With playful illustrations by Iain McIntosh, an inspiring
preface by the former Children's Laureate, Michael
Morpurgo, and bite-size biographies of each poet, it
will be a source of reading pleasure to children in
Scotland and beyond.
The collection will also provide Scottish schools
with a much needed fresh resource of Scottish poems.
We are delighted that Learning & Teaching Scotland,
with the support of the Scottish Executive, has recognised
its value by purchasing 4,500 copies to distribute in
August to every school in Scotland.
The volume will be backed with helpful web resources
designed by the Scottish Poetry Library's education
team to enable teachers to use the poems in class to
inspire a love of language and encourage creative writing.
The suggested age range for this collection is 8 to
13.
The Thing that Mattered Most was launched at the Edinburgh International Book Festival
on Monday 14 August at 11.30 at a children's programme
event featuring children's writers Diana Hendry and
Tom Pow.
A special launch party will be held at the Scottish Poetry Library on Monday 2 October 2006 at 6.30. All very welcome at this free party. RSVP to julie.johnstone@spl.org.uk
Copies can be purchased from the Scottish Poetry Library's online shop.
For further information about the anthology, please
contact:
Black & White Publishing
Gillian Mackay, gillian@blackandwhitepublishing.com, tel:
0131 625 4500
Scottish Poetry Library
Jane Alexander, SPL Marketing Officer, marketing@spl.org.uk
Julie Johnstone, SPL Education Development Officer,
julie.johnstone@spl.org.uk
Tel: 0131 557 2876
Notes
Michael Morpurgo is one of Britain's best-loved and
most successful authors. He has written over 100 books
for children, held the post of Children's Laureate
from 2003 to 2005 and was awarded an MBE in 1999.
Julie Johnstone is the Education Development Officer
at the Scottish Poetry Library in Edinburgh and editor
of the poetry magazine island.
Iain
McIntosh's work can be seen in a variety of settings,
in particular on the covers of novels by Alexander McCall
Smith.
Learning
& Teaching Scotland is an executive non-departmental
public body, sponsored by the Scottish Executive Education
Department. Its focus is to enhance the educational
experiences of learners and to help schools improve
pupil achievement within an inclusive education system.
The Thing that Mattered Most has been part-funded
by a publications grant from the Scottish
Arts Council.
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