Words Can Fly – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Poetry, positive, touching, cheerful, empowering.
Children’s book title: Words Can Fly.
Children’s author: Donna Ashworth.
Children’s illustrator: Eirinn McGuinness.
Genre: Poetry collection.
Published by: Templar Books.
ISBN: 9781785307171.
Recommended for young adults aged: 7-11.
First published: Hardback June 2025.
This children’s book is ideal for: Empowering young readers.
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Our review:
Welcome into this book … where everyone is welcome and all feelings are accepted, just as they are.
Words Can Fly is the debut children’s poetry collection by Sunday Times bestselling writer Donna Ashworth. Themes include friendship, family, growing up and being yourself. There is a strong current of both empowerment and self-acceptance running through the poems. Tricky situations such as friendship problems, family break-ups and the loss of a pet are dealt with sensitively and realistically, acknowledging their difficulties while providing inspiration and hope.
It is sadder to walk past
someone lost or all alone
than it is to be the one
sitting there all on your own.
The author encourages readers to dip into the book at random to find something that speaks to them and helps them to express their feelings, hopes and dreams. There is an also Index at the back of the book that groups the poems by theme, including Differences, Change and Mindset.
This versatile collection features a variety of poetic forms, including free verses, shape poems and formal rhyming schemes. Many of the poems have a lyrical quality to them, making them perfect for reading aloud.
Everything in nature is growing
and remember, you are too
every day your growth is showing
in ways that only you can do.
Words Can Fly is a beautifully presented book that would make an ideal present as well as a highly visually appealing addition to classrooms and libraries.
Each poem is accompanied by charming full-colour illustrations by Primary School teacher turned artist Eirinn McGuinness. The images portray a diverse range of characters, depicting the inclusiveness of love and friendship and showing that poetry really is for everyone.
Have you ever planted a seed
and watched a brand-new flower rise?
Wow, you’ve been doing that
since the day you opened your eyes.
There are notes at the end of the book for parents and carers, giving advice on how to use the book with children to explore potentially difficult situations. There are also tips for teachers on how to use poetry in lessons to support emotional, social and mental wellbeing, as well as language skills.
Words Can Fly is a beautiful, accessible poetry collection that will appeal to fans of Michael Rosen and Joseph Coelho.
Life is a pick-and-mix of all things … kindness and love make everything just that little bit better.
Many thanks to Templar Books for the review copy.
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Browse our Year 5 reading list.
