Rhyme with Rosen

Oxfam records exclusive poetry CD for children

Twenty-three of the UK’s most prominent poets joined Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen to record an exclusive children’s CD for Oxfam at the Museum of Childhood last week.

Families were invited to join the poets at the event for a day of rhyming, rapping and readings of poems from the CD, which is designed to entertain and amuse primary school children. The new CD – which will be out in Oxfam shops in October- will be a mix of fun, fantastical, and humorous poems written and voiced by more than 40 UK poets.

Michael Rosen enthuses his audience

As well as Michael Rosen, poets taking part in Saturday’s event included Welsh Children’s Laureate Ifor ap Glyn, the City of London poet John Mole, Judith Nicholls, John Foster and Wes Mcgee. Alongside traditional readings many of the poets presented their work in flamboyant styles ranging from Brian Moses on the drums, Jacob Sam-La Rose rapping to James Carter on the guitar.

The CD follows the massive success of Oxfam’s previous poetry CDs, the Life Lines Anthologies, which raised £75,000 for Oxfam’s work and became UK bestsellers.

Children’s Laureate, Michael Rosen said: ‘What are we? A crowd of poets? A herd?A flock?A gaggle of poets? Whatever we are, Oxfam have assembled more poets who write for children than have ever been squeezed together in the history of the universe. The result will without doubt be a stunning display of dreams, fun, fantasy and reflection. Truly a historic moment for poets and listeners alike.’

The CD is intended to introduce poetry to a wider audience providing families with hours of enjoyment and teachers with a creative resource for lessons, while at the same time raising money for Oxfam’s lifesaving work.

Oxfam’s 130 specialist bookshops will stock the CD from National Poetry Day on 9 October, and it will also be available online at www.oxfam.org.uk/shop