I really like this poem by Mary Howitt. It's a cautionary tale about the dangers of deceit and flattery: the crafty spider tries all...

Have a listen to my first interview with Radio Cornwall. I must say it was a bit nerve-racking... Prior to the event I was invited to...

by John Greenleaf Whittier This wonderful poem tells the story of a poor farm girl, Maud Muller, and a wealthy judge who cross paths -...

By John Keats Here's a fabulous story, one that tugs at the heart strings... This epic poem is set on the magical Eve of St Agnes, when,...

by Alfred Lord Tennyson I love Tennyson :) This poem is not a favourite of mine, but I had a young friend who completely loved it, and he...

Written in the Scottish dialect, this poem tells the story of Tam, a rather reckless and hedonistic farmer, who, after a night of heavy...

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is the most epic narrative poem ever. What a story! It shows how a thoughtless act can have everlasting...

Check out this poem by Edgar Allan Poe - it's such a haunting tribute to eternal love. I completely adore it. The intense emotional depth...

In 1871 Lewis Carol wrote the novel, 'Through the Looking Glass' - a sequel to 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' (1865). Included in it...

I have to include a bit of Shakespeare - the absolute master of poetry and storytelling. I think so many people have been turned off...

This is fabulous, in a really depressing way... an absolute masterpiece of Gothic poetry. Spooky atmosphere, rich symbolism, and a...

Here's another glorious epic story, told in narrative verse. It was reading things like this that lead me to choose this form for my...

What about this one... it's so fabulous! Such lovely imagery and rhythm... wow. I first encountered this poem when I was at primary...

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow , is another of my absolute favourite poems - I love the rhythm and the wonderful imagery. What I love most...

This is one of my top favourite poems, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson - narrative verse can be so brilliant and evocative... I absolutely love...

I'd like to share with you this beautiful poem for children, written by Eugene Field and first published in 1889. Apparently the original...

As I prepared to visit Roselands School for my book reading event, I felt excitement mixed with a few nerves. I'd visited over 20 schools...

What a journey this was for me… I suppose it started all the way back in my childhood. From the get go I was extremely obsessed with...

So, from my first ever visit to a primary school, Upton St James in Torquay, on 21st May 2024, performing ‘Chloe and the Bright Idea’, to...

A couple of days ago I went to this school to do a performance of my book, 'Chloe and the Bright Idea'. It seemed like the whole school...