Pause for Poetry: An Imaginary Menagerie

This is a new edition of a classic collection which has delighted readers for many years. It was one of the first poetry books I bought when I started teaching and one which I have used regularly since.

Illustrated throughout by Roger, the poems are about both real and imaginary animals from the Allivator to the Zonk. Rich in word play and puns, each poem is imaginative and full of humour. A particular favourite of mine is ‘Bookworms’ which starts…

Bookworms are the cleverest of all the worms I know

While others meet their fate on a fisherman's hook as bait

Or churn out silk or chew up the earth or simply burn and glow

They loll about in libraries eating words to make them grow.

The words trip off the tongue, making them a joy to perform and very easy to learn by heart as well as it being satisfying for children to explore the ideas, word play and patterns and use these in their own writing.

Discover the ‘Aunt-Eater’ and learn the fate of the Goodgers, know the habits of Squiggles and consider the virtues of a teapet in this ‘imaginary menagerie’ of delights.

An Imaginary Menagerie

Poems and drawings by Roger McGough, cover illustration by Petr Horacek

Otter-Barry Books ISBN: 978-1913074357