As a veteran contributor to many anthologies for children, Kate Williams’ first solo collection has been long awaited and does not disappoint! Ideal for KS1 and up, we meet a whole menagerie of animals in ‘Squeak! Squawk! Roar!’, from the antics of the cute and cuddly pet variety ('Hamster on the Loose') to those that are owned only in the imagination ('Pony Friend', 'Secret Pet'), as well as creatures that children might be able to spot in their own environment (the ‘abracadazzle’ of the red dragonfly in 'Summer Magic', or a the ‘red flash’ of the 'Fox Trot'), local countryside or the zoo, not forgetting those they are less likely to have a personal encounter with, whether it’s the mother polar bear affected by climate change in the lullaby-esque 'While Baby Sleeps', or the mysterious shoal of lamplit lanternfish in the ‘no-go, no-show, never-know deep’ ('Secret-Deep'). There is plenty of fun for young readers, of course, but with a light touch and skilful word-wrangling. There are observant juxtapositions as in 'Mouse’s Houses' (whether mouse is inside or outside determines whether the sight is ‘charming’ or ‘alarming’, whether mouse is ‘dainty’ and ‘dinky’, or ‘dirty’ and ‘stinky’, greeted with an ‘Aww!’ or an ‘Aagh!’), an introduction to kennings in 'Havoc-Wreakers'’ description of seagulls, and a wistful cleverness to the short poem about the mighty 'Albatross': ‘so bright, so white/so graceful, so grand/so calm/so strong/solo’. There are also clever riddles, pitched just right for the audience to be able to solve them. A great choice for primary school libraries and bedroom bookshelves alike!

SQUEAK! SQUARK! ROAR! By Kate Williams A RUMBLE REVIEW IT’S A JUNGLE IN THERE! (Well, actually there are also some domestic and woodland animals represented, but you know what I mean.) This collection is a rip-roaring animal fest, full of wonder, delight and words that glide, bounce and somersault across the page. Each poem is crafted with great care and sensitivity, as Williams takes us on a journey to observe the fierce, the fearless and the fluffy. Many poems display an affectionate humour, and animal characteristics are observed and sometimes smiled at, as in ‘The Wombat is a Non-Bat’ and ‘If You Were a Giraffe’ - what fun to have a ‘drain-long, crane-strong, swing-along neck’! Yet Kate Williams is just as at ease when writing with a more serious tone, as in ‘Exhibit Number 42’, or with the quiet and gentle voice of ‘Swanning Along’. The collection has a hypnotic pace fed by the tight scanning and rhyme. The poems play with words, sometimes delicately, sometimes riotously, always with a satisfying result. I love the ‘Abracadazzle’ of the red dragonfly! The imagery is also satisfying and vivid – we watch quietly as a ‘sprite-light’ deer moves into the shadows. It’s a poem to read in a whisper. This is a wonderfully promising first collection from Kate Williams, and it will make readers want more.

This is a brilliant collection full of lively animal poems. It's ideal for an animal loving child or for a classroom exploring animals as a topic (for the most part, the poems each focus on a particular animal). The style of poetry is really varied and kept my 8 year old super engaged. Lots of the poems will make young readers smile, but there's poignancy too - with reminders of the dangers to polar bears in the memorable poem 'While Baby Sleeps' for example. The illustrations from Hannah Asen are pitch perfect. All in all, it's one you want for your bookshelf!

These are lovely poems, all inventive in different ways. Many are humorous, while others are atmospheric or thought-provoking. There's lots of fun with onomatopoeia and some crazy flights of the imagination. It's all on a child's wavelength and well-illustrated. Highly recommended!