Groovy Fish and Other Poems

This book is the end result of Paula Green’s, “gigantic Hot Spot Tour” of 2014, when she visited schools, libraries and bookshops throughout New Zealand with poetry workshops and readings of her work.

Children were encouraged to give her titles as a starting point for a poem which has led to a lively, eclectic mix of ideas full of humour and imagination. There are approximately 65 poems in this collection with each one a delight to read. Some are only a few lines long, while others expand more thoroughly on the title topic. Each one is accompanied by a clever line drawing which adds to the reading experience. Subjects include, “What goes on under the bed”, “The shabby dinosaur”, and one of my immediate favourites, “The tree house”.

The soft cover is immediately appealing with the use of vibrant colours and the imaginative illustration of Groovy Fish.

I would highly recommend this collection to any parent, library or bookshop. It is a great introduction to poetry and adults and children alike will enjoy the energy and humour with which they are written and illustrated. Having read this book, I would seek out Paula Green’s other books with a view to including them also in our library collection.

Title: Groovy Fish and Other Poems

Author: Paula Green

Publisher: Ahoy (Cuba Press)

Date: 2019

ISBN: 9780995119734

Price: $25.00

Reviewer: Anabel McPhee, Librarian, The Catlins Area School, South Otago

How highly are you recommending this book? Highly recommended

Opening line: In 2014 I went on my gigantic Hot Spot Poetry Tour of New Zealand to celebrate my two new books

You can buy this book here

Paula Green is available to visit schools through the Writers in Schools programme