posted on 15 Aug 2021

Caterpillar Cake by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Krina Patel-Sage

I’m sure that you will agree that there can never be too many poetry books for young readers. This one is particularly delightful with an eye-catching front cover showing a happy little girl facing out to welcome in the reader. All sixteen poems are simple, with distinct patterns that will make them memorable for even the youngest reader. All book-loving parents and practitioners know that babies respond to strong rhythmic language from day one (if not before). I loved them all for different reasons, but I will give you a flavour of three favourites:  

Let’s Go!

This one bursts with energy using the repeated refrain of the title. The text zig-zags down the page with the final short verse exclaiming ‘What a trip!' -  using a slightly larger and bolder font to emphasise the excitement. The colourful rockets boom diagonally across the night sky with bright stars and some planets depicted as the three passengers look out. There is so much to talk about – why does one of them look so anxious while the other looks confident and relaxed? And why is there a sheep in one of the rockets?

When I Swing

I can just about remember the strange sensation of pushing my legs up towards the sky on a swing whilst closing my eyes. This short poem perfectly captures that blissful moment:

‘Feet first

I burst

This blur

Of world’

Once again, the illustration adds to the feeling of serene pleasure showing a young girl surrounded by butterflies, a bird and a dragonfly as her legs stretch out and her long hair flows behind her.

River Lullaby

The last one in the collection is a bit longer than many others with a gentle, suitably soothing refrain at the end of each verse. The language is beautiful and will evoke some magical images:

‘Swallowing secrets that the moon- child speaks

hush little shush little

rush little river’

I look forward to sharing this anthology with my grandchildren who I know will look closely at the vivid illustrations and join in with the very different poems with enthusiasm. Well done to the author, a former primary school teacher, who clearly knows his intended audience and congratulations to the first time picture book illustrator who makes each poem very special. 

 

Karen Argent

August 2021