FOR MORE ABOUT MAGI'S NOVELS FOR CHILDREN VISIT www.maggigibson.com
When writing her novels for Puffin Magi calls herself Maggi Gibson. Find out more on www.seriouslysassy.co.uk
Magi's poetry for children has appeared in many anthologies, including
I wouldn't thank you for a Valentine, Viking
Parents - Keep Out, Macmillan
Don't Panic - A Hundred Poems to Save your Life, Macmillan
Scottish Poems 2000, Macmillan.
The Thing that Mattered Most, Scottish Poetry Library
My Mum's a Punk, ASLS
She has contributed to several Scottish Poetry Library Work Packs for teachers, and devised the National Poetry Day/Bob Dylan Lesson Plans for Teachers, 2007.
She is much in demand for workshops with all ages of children - from P1 to S6.
Currently Magi is working on a series of novels for Puffin, the Serioulsy, Sassy! series. The first two come out in 2009.
She is represented by Caroline Walsh at the David Higham Literary Agency. www.davidhigham.co.uk
Here are some poems for younger readers:
My dad says
My dad says I’m a pest.
He says I’m a fusspot
I’m a whinger
I’m a pain in the neck
I’m a bottomless pit
I’m too big for my boots
I’m a thorn in his flesh.
My dad says
I’m an empty vessel
I’m an accident waiting to happen.
He says I’m a jinx and a minx
And I’m lazy and mean -
I’m a prima donna
I’m a wimp
I’m a soap opera queen.
Sometimes my dad says I’m mad.
But my mum says - I’m just like my dad!
What time do you think this is?
Well, on the dandelion clock
it's four puffs and a tiny wheeze.
On my wrist it’s just as it always is -
a birthmark past a freckle.
According to the speaking clock
at the next pip it will be….
And my history teacher says
it’s the start of the third millennium.
The moon says it’s time for the owl to come out
and the tide says it’s time for the sea to come in.
My broken watch says – well what do you expect?
The same as always - ten to nine.
The clock on the cooker says it’s time
to take the pizza out the oven
and the clock in the car
says it’s time to get going.
The dj on the radio says
the night is yet young/it’s time to hang loose.
My tummy clock says it's time for a feast
My cool big cousin says - time doesn’t exist!
The sun dial says a cloud is passing by.
The water clock says time’s dripping away
drip drop drip drop drip drop drip
and my mum says, “What time do you think this is?
It’s a simple enough question.”
And I’m just about to say
the dandelion clock says…
But I think it’s time
to hold my tongue
Tree Poem
Can you hear the tree’s heartbeat
and the slow rustle of its imagination?
Can you hear its wriggling roots
deep in the soil beneath your feet?
Can you hear the silence fall
as it shakes the darkness from its hair?
Can you see it stretch its branches wide
as the yawning dawn opens the eye of the sky?
Can you see the tree scratch its rough trunk
and wash its face in the dew?
Can you see the tree dreaming?
Can you hear the leaves breathe?
Can you see the tree seeing you?