Ok - something reeeeally spooky... Grimm’s Fairy Tales, a cornerstone of classic folklore, have captivated readers for centuries with their enchanting blend of fantasy, morality, and the macabre. Collected by German brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm in the early 19th century, these tales were not originally written for children. Rather, they served as a way to preserve oral storytelling traditions and the cultural values embedded in them. The Grimms began their work during a t

The Secret Garden , written by Frances Hodgson Burnett and first published in 1911, is much more than just a children’s story - it’s a powerful tale about healing, transformation, and the magic of nature. At its heart, it’s about broken people learning to grow again, just like the garden they bring back to life. The story begins with Mary Lennox, a sour, lonely little girl born in India to wealthy but neglectful parents. When a cholera outbreak kills her family, she’s shipp

Here's a little jaunt through the history of English poetry - enjoy! Poetry has been an essential part of English literature for over a...

Poetry holds a pretty special place in children’s lives - it's a combination of rhythm, learning - and fun! Not only can it spark their imagination, but it can also provide many emotional, cognitive and social benefits. It's a powerful tool for development; it stimulates creativity and an appreciation for language; it shapes emotional intelligence. One significant benefit of poetry for children is the way it can enhance language and literacy skills. Rhythmic patterns, rhymes,

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow This marvellous narrative poem tells the story of a shipwreck caused by the captain's arrogance and pride. Composed in 1839, it was inspired by a massive storm that struck the New England coast - so it's part fact, part fiction. The captain of the Hesperus, supremely overconfident, prepares to sail in spite of storm warnings. His young daughter, whom he's taken aboard, innocently trusts her father’s judgment, unaware of the dangers that lie ahea

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow I have to admit I'm not very good at lyrical poetry, even though I studied lots of it at degree level! I've read loads of Baudelaire, Guillén and Lorca; Verlaine, Mallarmé and Eliot... and when the text is just a little, tiny bit obscure, I don't really get it. I used to appreciate the beautiful phrases, the alliteration, the images etc, but overall, if the meaning wasn't obvious, I'd be miles off with my interpretation and feel like a right nump

By William Wordsworth This is an epic narrative, set during the late 16th century, centering around the historical events of the Rising of the North, a failed Catholic rebellion against Elizabeth I. It combines elements of historical drama with deep emotional and spiritual reflection, particularly on themes of faith, loss and peace. A noble Catholic family, the Nortons, take part in a rebellion against Queen Elizabeth I, and it doesn't end well for them - reflecting the polit

CLEMENT CLARKE MOORE Now here is a poem that I love, love, love. Often referred to as, 'Twas the Night Before Xmas' - it's a really popular poem that's become part of the Christmas tradition, at least in the UK. It fully captures the magical anticipation of Christmas, with the coming of St. Nicholas - a joyful, gift-giving character riding a sleigh full of presents lead by reindeer. Awesome!! I love it. The poem has such a rhythmic quality and such warm, vivid descriptions. S

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 sorts of tricks to tempt the innocent fly into it's the web. The little fly isn't interested in the appeal of the pretty staircase, the comfy bed or the food in the parlour - but as soon as the spider begins to flatter the fly, the trap is sprung! This poem in particular has stuck in my memory because I used to suffer from arachnophobia as a chi

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 think of two news items that I might like to talk about on the day - one local story and one from further away. This took me less time than expected. I immediately found one about a local circus giving away Xmas dinner for 300. I couldn't believe it - what a generous act! Imagine how much fun that would be! As it happened they were pleased to h

by John Greenleaf Whittier This wonderful poem tells the story of a poor farm girl, Maud Muller, and a wealthy judge who cross paths - and each imagine the possibility of a life together, in spite of their different social backgrounds. Neither acts upon on these thoughts though, and they go on to lead separate lives filled with regret over what might have been. It's soooooo sad, but beautiful. We all tend to idealize what we don’t have - it's only human - and we tend to carry

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, according to legend, a young woman can dream of her future lover. As WS Gilbert said, 'It's love that makes the world go round' - love is universal, timeless and vital, and so a poem like this one speaks to us all. However, just like in Romeo and Juliet, the problem is that the lovers, in this case Madeline and Porphyro, exist in a world wh

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 grew up to become a soldier - so I wonder if this gave him the inspiration for that, or if it was in him already... Anyway, I'm creating blogs about narrative verse, and this is another really famous piece of literature I want to share with you. The poem is an epic story about one of the most tragic, and heroic, events in British military h

Written in the Scottish dialect, this poem tells the story of Tam, a rather reckless and hedonistic farmer, who, after a night of heavy drinking, encounters a supernatural gathering on his way home. It's a timeless and beloved piece of Scottish literature. The language is fabulous, though you may need a dictionary - I certainly would do, but I'm lazy and just gather the gist from the context, lol. If you have a listen to Karen Dunbar on YouTube though, her performance is re

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 consequences - when the Mariner kills the innocent albatross, it is wrong, a cowardly act, and he is unable to ever, ever escape the lasting burden. Rich in symbolism, moral depth, and vivid imagery. It's one of the best examples of Romantic poetry, depicting the power of nature, the mystery of the supernatural, and the profound psychological

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 makes it sooooo moving. In it, love transcends the biggest and most cruel, yet inevitable, separation: death. The 'kingdom by the sea' is timeless and ethereal, giving the poem a fairytale quality. The verses flow; the repetition of 'Annabel Lee' creates a sense of longing and devotion, as if the narrator is trying to cling to the memory of

In 1871 Lewis Carol wrote the novel, 'Through the Looking Glass' - a sequel to 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' (1865). Included in it was this nonsense poem about the killing of a 'Jabberwocky' - a fictitious creature. I'm gonna admit right here: I cannot stand the novels and pictures and films about Alice - all my life I've disliked them intensely! I know they're really clever etc but to me they are just far too mad. I don't want to bother with the meaning and the clevern

I have to include a bit of Shakespeare - the absolute master of poetry and storytelling. I think so many people have been turned off Shakespeare, possibly while studying his plays at school, because the subject has been badly taught. Some people like to show off and make others feel intellectually inferior, quoting passages and acting like they're really clever... But here's the thing: Shakespeare wrote his plays for everyone , and that's part of his incredible skill. To be a

This is fabulous, in a really depressing way... an absolute masterpiece of Gothic poetry. Spooky atmosphere, rich symbolism, and a narrative that draws the reader into the speaker’s deepening despair - it's just sooooo well written. Grief and the finality of death; the concluding image of the speaker’s soul being trapped in the raven's shadow, with no hope of escape - it all leaves such a deep sense of unease and sorrow. My oh my, not one of my favourite's, but how can I not

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 Chloe Tales Series. I enjoy a good story and I enjoy rhyme - that's all there is to it! I love the descriptions of the fruits - so luxurious and enticing - appealing to all the senses and making your mouth water. Words like “plump,” “lush,” “sweet,” and “ripe” create a sense of abundance and temptation. But the sensory pleasure is undercut by th