Belonging Street

A stunningly wide-ranging collection from a popular poet, encompassing the natural world, city life, family and belonging –suffused with magic, warmth and empathy.

I’m going to make this city green,
a deep, shining green,
right here where I lie
I’ll make this city green.

Look out for the tree that saved a town; dip your toe in the Milky Way; sing the City Seed Song; play in Kitty Cat Street – and then come home to Belonging Street.

Puzzles, riddles and jokes mix with story poems and lyrical verse to make this a magical and heart-warming collection.

"One of our most exciting poets writing for children."

"A gentle, relatable book full of humour and the wonder of being alive...There are many lovely, finely observed poems in here to share between parents and children, and poems that can be used as models for children's own writing in school."

"This inspiring volume of poetry celebrates moments, from the arrival of new baby siblings to selfies, encouraging readers to notice and imagine. It draws attention to nature, including puddles, stars and butterflies, as well as cities, skies, objects, journeys and words. It sings; so your heart will too."

"Mandy Coe is exceptionally alive to the worlds about us. Her work is characterised by passionate curiosity, startlingly accurate images and an unfailing sense of warmth and connection."

"Poems about nature and protecting our planet mingle with puzzle poems, riddles, family life and belonging, in this warm-hearted new collection from an acclaimed poet and performer in schools and at festivals across the UK."

"A wonderful collection of poems for any new term topic looking at the natural world, city life, family and belonging...perfect to read aloud and inspire poetry writing with riddles and puzzles too."

"At a time when we definitely need poems to lighten our load, to find some of our hidden feelings and to express joy and laughter, Belonging Street brings a wonderful collection of poems encompassing the natural world, city life and family belonging."

"A real treasure - beautifully written with so much to explore and discover within this anthology."

"What Mandy does so well is to help readers to see the beauty and the magic of the everyday world."

"Coe's beautiful line illustrations complement and enrich the poems...a beautiful celebration of childhood across the world with the same lyrical, gentle touch that characterises so many of her poems."

"This effervescent volume brings poetry to life for a 21st century audience. From poems about nature and protecting the planet to verses about family life and belonging, there's something here for everyone."

"If you are looking for an anthology of uplifting, thought-provoking poetry that has a real impact in the Key Stage 2 classroom, then Belonging Street is the perfect collection for you. Themes of inclusion, positivity and seeing the world through the eyes of others weave through the collection as well as a sense of humour and playfulness that sees puzzles and riddles mixed in with the poems."

"Full of lyrical and wide-ranging descriptive imagery which bring her observations to life...I highly recommend this book for school libraries and classroom collections. There is much to enjoy an savour for children and school staff alike."

"An anthology to savour on the lips, to discuss and most of all to inspire young poets to explore and enjoy language themselves."

"An inspiring collection celebrating the wonders of moments in nature and human experience, should we only notice them. Encourages empathy with the earth and a feeling of connectedness to others."

Mandy Coe is an acclaimed poet whose verse for children and adults has featured on BBC radio and television. Her work on teaching poetry has been published by the TES, Bloomsbury and CUP, and she is a Visiting Fellow of The Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University. She co-authored Our thoughts are bees: Writers Working with Schools and her poems can be heard on ‘Talking Poetry’, BBC Schools Radio and at the Poetry Archive. Her first collection for children, If You Could See Laughter, was shortlisted for the CLPE Poetry Award. She lives in Liverpool.

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