Small Poems for Big Imaginations

By Author / Illustrator

Neal Zetter, Will Hughes

Genre

Poetry

Age range(s)

Publisher

Otter-Barry Books

ISBN

9781915659873

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

08-01-2026

Synopsis

Small poems are fabulous fun
So I thought I would write this one
It will not be too long I think
Cos my pen has run out of

Only Neal Zetter could create a collection of short poems that includes 'The Loooooooooongest Poem in the Universe'. His new volume makes a great introduction to the fun, enjoyment and new understandings that poetry can bring. All are short, direct and entertaining. Whether reading with a single child or a group, they arouse immediate interest and are perfect for reading aloud.

Year 6 children in a London primary school followed the production from draft to publication: here are some of the things they said about it. "A book where you go up and down and swirl around", "Neal's poems challenge me, but I enjoy figuring out the jokes", "His poems inspire me and make me want to ROAR with joy".

Reviews

Sue

Small poems are fabulous fun / So I thought I would write this one / It will not be long I think / Cos my pen has run out of . . .

So begins this fun collection of poems, Small Poems for Big Imaginations, which would make an excellent addition to any poetry shelf! There are 55 short poems here which are perfect for sharing, performing and enjoying! Each poem is a burst of energy, sharing a passion for poetry and word play which is sure to appeal to a wide audience and encourage readers to create their own poetic works. Who wouldn't want to accept the challenge to create their own dissimilies or write a pangram?!

Covering a wide range of topics and using a variety of styles, there is something for everyone here! Many of these poems lend themselves to performing in imaginative and creative ways as groups, individuals or as whole classes. 'On Finding an Acorn', for example, would make an excellent performance piece whilst also offering plenty to ponder and discuss. Humour is used to great effect, encouraging readers to experiment with wit and word play to create poems of their own, drawing on the world around them for inspiration. 'A Difficult Choice' could be used as a model to generate both ideas and laughter whilst forming a collaborative piece. 'How Long is a Poem?' is a wonderful starting point for developing similes . . . I could go on!

These small poems will make a big difference!

80 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher