Funny, thought-provoking and bursting with curiosity, Wise Up! Wise Down! is a lively conversation between two internationally renowned poets, illustrated by treasured artist Satoshi Kitamura.
**Shortlisted for the 2025 CLiPPA - the CLPE Poetry Award, the UK's leading award for published poetry for children.**
How can laughter be more powerful than a sword? Why do days have names but not weeks? And do pigeons ever get a craving for cake? Two friends, internationally acclaimed poets John Agard and JonArno Lawson, take us on an inspiring, hilarious and wondrous journey through poetry, asking questions and attempting answers as they discover that life really is a forever and ever adventure.
Praise for Wise Up! Wise Down!
"Fun and unique and filled with laugh out loud black and white illustrations by Satoshi Kitamura, this is a poetry book like no other." Mini Travellers
“Curious minds will love the poems… Poetry at its most creative and versatile is what readers will discover in this most wonderous journey through words, ideas and pictures ~ on the page and in the mind.” Armadillo Magazine
"A fun collection of poetry." Left on the Shelf
"Three awesome creative people from children’s literature have collaborated on what is sure to become a favourite poetry book for many readers ... A terrific book." Red Reading Hub
Kids will love this hilarious fairy tale adventure packed with clever twists, familiar characters and page-turning fun.
The second book in a fabulous new magical, middle-grade series filled with adventure, wonder and wildness,
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John Agard was born in Guyana and emigrated to Britain in 1977. He has worked as an actor and a performer with a jazz group and spent several years with the Commonwealth Institute, travelling all over Britain giving talks, performances and workshops. He has visited literally thousands of schools.
His poem 'Half-caste' is on the AQA English GCSE
Jonarno Lawson is a poet and the author of several books for children. He lives in Toronto, Ontario.
Tina Holdcroft is the author and/or illustrator of more than 40 books for children, including "Spy, Spy Again." She lives in Toronto, Ontario.
More about JonArno LawsonSatoshi Kitamura was born in Tokyo and worked in advertising there before moving to London in 1980. He won the Mother Goose Award for Angry Arthur and he is now one of the most distinguished illustrators in Britain.
More about Satoshi Kitamura
