Watchwords - Roger McGough

Advantages: Short,Bright,Colourful,Humourous,Engaging
Disadvantages: Blurs reality with fantasy, needs adult interpretation too

...Great Book for Springtime Learning Activities! For greatest value and enjoyment, read this vivid educational and entertaining story alongside the tape. Roger McGough's voice seems to effortlessly impart humour. The story depicts a caterpillar hatching from an egg and eating more and more every day until he finally splits his skin and becomes a butterfly! Ways to extend learning: Talk about what a caterpillar REALLY eats! Use correct vocabulary in discussions - metamorphosis,insect,larva.pupa. Talk about the difference between butterflies and moths. In Spring, go on a hunt, and perhaps encase a branch with see-through netting to better observe the caterpillar. Buy a Bug Box magnifier to go with the book. Just for a day or two, bring a caterpillar inside and place on food plant stem in jar of water. Finish off with visit to Butterfly... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: cheers you up
Disadvantages: you're left wanting more

...After watching the programmes on television, telling us of tales of love and more recently Christmas poems, I wasn't surprised to find a whole stack of books edited by Daisy Goodwin on the shops shelves. But this is a good thing. This is a woman who understands and has been to places that we have all visited and some that we would rather not remember, and in this book there is a poem for every occasion. Ones that let us grieve and mourn, such a s Funeral Blues by W. H. Auden and the infamous Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep to poems that make us realise that maybe life isn't as bad as it seems like Streemin by Roger McGough and Loss by Wendy Cope. This book has it covered with poems that make you laugh and cry, and even a section called "Don't let the B******s Grind You Down." It holds within its small binding a cornucopia of poems... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Will last your child years
Disadvantages: Youll have to select certain ones for young children

...- this book is suitable for school age children. They will love it as the poemas are all about school * '100 Best Poems for Children' by Roger McGough. This is a beautifully presented selection of poetry.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful