Packing a bag for Mars - "packs poems of every punch and variety"

Packing a bag for Mars

Poems by James Norcliffe with notes for teachers and writing prompts for students

Illustrations by Jenny Cooper

Clersestory Press - $27

Here is the back cover blurb which nicely sums up this appealing publication:

Commissioned by the School for Young Writers, Packing a Bag for Mars packs poems of every punch and variety into a kitbag that can barely keep them contained.

The poems, along with Jenny Cooper’s witty illustrations, reveal what most teachers and nearly all pupils secretly know – that poetry can be fun to read and fun to write.

Here you’ll find poems that play, poems that pick your pocket, poems that will put a smile on your face and pepper your pizza!  For the most part they are easily accessible but in case they do puzzle and perplex at times, there are explanatory notes and a guide to the main poetic techniques used.

Even better, there is a helpful interview with  a friendly author and a writing prompt with each poem, to encourage you to pack your own bag for Mars – or anywhere else that poetry may take you.

And an endorsement:

Some of the poems in this book are new and some have appeared elsewhere, but the treatment they receive here makes them all spring from the page as if straight from a versatile author’s mind.

 Packing A Bag for Mars is the complete package for aspiring writers and working teachers seeking an understanding of the nature of poetry and a wide variety of examples to choose from.           

Rangi Faith, teacher and poet.