A review for Over to You from NATE Primary Matters.

This poetry book is a hoot! The first few poems are cleverly written as if the author is struggling to come up with a poem (as if, indeed!). The character of a teacher provides regular guidance and the poems themselves, with distinctive voices depending on where they are in the pecking order, have something to say as well- the first poem cries ‘Enough! Stop! Stop!’ and makes the poet promise not to write a second.

There is learning sneaked in with explanations for poetic forms and terms, e.g. the explanation of a simile, and then It’s ‘Over to you!’ and we are treated to animals with aspirations: the rhinoceros who dreams of becoming an airline pilot; the cat who dreams of becoming a racing driver, the wasp who speaks out in defence of its actions, and so many more entertaining and thoughtful renditions

Poem after poem had me laughing out loud. Roger McGough is a consummate wordsmith and his flair, skill and appeal to young readers (and old ones) are evident in spades in this collection. The closing poem reiterates that ‘writing makes you feel better’- a message for everyone.

This is such a brilliant book and comes highly recommended. I could wax lyrical about the rest of the poems in this collection, but really- just buy it!