Lost Magic: The Very Best of Brian Moses

Brian Moses sees this compilation of his work as 'signposts along the road .... travelled' as a poet. Tackling the habitually asked question, 'What's your favourite poem?', he has assembled his own favourites in this rich celebration of his work over the last twenty years. There is so much to enjoy! Here are the opening lines of the title poem (p.108): 'Today I found some lost magic - / a twisty-twirly horn / of a unicorn lying at my feet.' It is a touching and simply written poem but with powerful resonances for today's uneasy world: 'the edge of the world was miles away, / there was nothing to fear./ And none of the unicorns we know ever / changed into dangerous strangers./' Characteristic of Moses' work are the humorous and rhythmic poems that lend themselves so well to performance: 'The SSSSSnake Hotel' (p.4), (to which you can return! p. 24). I particularly like 'Walking with my Iguana' (p.11) written for two voices. For sheer lighthearted nonsense turn to the 'Improbable or Impossible?' section. Here you'll find spider swallowing (p.80), fish ventriloquism (p.82) and what happens if you try to take a lobster through security (p.84). Don't even ask! As Moses says in the short, child-friendly introduction, there are also poems that are 'more thoughtful, because poetry shouldn't just make us smile or laugh - it should make us think and wonder'. 'Last time' (p.57) with its environmental theme, certainly provides food for thought. A section titled 'What do you do now you've been to the moon?' is typical Moses with its combination of humour ('Aliens stole my underpants', p.34) with thought provoking content. ('Space Dog'; p.30)/ If I had to choose a favourite poem, it would be 'Only a Wardrobe'. (p.119): 'In the end, it was, unfortunately, / only a wardrobe, / although hopes had been raised / that it could have been / an alternative route to Narnia.' For the children in this poem (Sharon, Tracey, Gavin and Isaac), there is only a disappointing empty space (They'd hoped for snow, a few flakes / at least to show they were on the right track'). With its empowering intertextuality, it taps into children's love of secret places. I would read this alongside Mirsolav Holub's powerful 'Go and open the Door' to offer children powerful ideas and models for their own writing. 224 pages / Ages 9-12 years / Reviewed by Alison Kelly, consultant.

Suggested Reading Age 11+