Zim Zam Zoom!

Colours, animals, space, music, fairytale fireworks...! Zim Zam Zoom is a collection of poems especially for reading out loud or performing. With delightful illustrations by the talented new illustrator Nicola Colton, this is a brilliant introduction to poetry for young children.

James Carter's 'Let's Invent a Monster', from Zim, Zam, Zoom, yearns for stand up wriggling and animal sound effects.

This catchy title captures the spirit of this collection of sixteen poems which are to be read ALOUD by children to children.

The excellent full-page illustrations are just as zappy as the poems.

There are few writers more sensitive to 'hooking' young children into poetry than James Carter. His vast experience of visiting and working with youngsters in schools enables him to pitch his writing for his audience perfectly...Carter does exuberance and humour really well, but he can also be quietly reflective. If you're not sure about teaching poetry, then look at his website and just dive into a collection like to enjoy with your children.

Beautiful book, wonderful words, lovely illustrations. This is definitely a poetry book, but it's a picture book, too. I tried reading it aloud with a young listener and it went down very well. We both really enjoyed it - every single poem. They made us laugh, they made us shiver and they made us ooh and aah. The alliteration and the onomatopoeia, the fun rhyme and the zappy rhythm are all ideal for joining in. James Carter really does understand how to grab the attention of younger children. And Nicola Colton provides some great illustrations. Buy it.

There is Roger McGough, there is Michael Rosen and here is James Carter bringing bright, lively words to children. ... Against bold coloured backgrounds of ochre, red and green, Nicola Colton's childlike images add to the joyful action. .. This is a book that would be great fun to share with a class of enthusiastic children, or as a family at bedtime.

Full of exciting, adventurous poems, all of which are perfect for reading aloud and are accompanied by cartoon illustrations.

This exhilarating collection of poems is a perfect way to enthuse children for poetry. They will be captivated by the bright artwork and the way the poems are interwoven with the pictures...The poems have been specially written for performance - teachers will love them for classroom use and for assemblies; they are great for children to read aloud too, in groups or individually. The wonderful use of language will inspire children to try writing poetry for themselves.

The sort of poetry book that kids can't resist. I've always held the opinion that funny poetry just BEGS to be read out loud (in as silly a voice as possible) and this book was a true treat.

Here is a collection of poems especially written for performance. With delightful illustrations by a talented new illustrator. RECOMMENDED.

This corker of a book arrived during the holidays and I had to restrain myself from dashing out into the road, grabbing any child I could find and saying, `Come with me and listen.' ...Assuredly, this is a book if ever there was one, to turn children on to poetry. It leads on perfectly from nursery rhymes and deserves a place in every early years setting and on every family bookshelf. So, do what James Carter suggests in his final offering and Take a Poem ... Nicola Colton `s spirited illustrations allow the poems to take centre stage right where they should be - a tricky undertaking, deftly done.

Perfect for reading out loud, Appealing illustrations provide plenty to talk about in this perfect introduction to poetry for younger children.

A brilliant introduction to poetry for young children, poems easily learnt and performed, great titles and include colours, animals, space, music and fairy tale fireworks.

Poetry now enjoys a higher profile within the National Curriculum than previously and books such as Zim Zam Zoom! can only contribute to making poetry more accessible and enjoyable for a young audience.

James Carter is a prize-winning poet, guitarist and educational writer. He travels all over the UK to give poetry performances and workshops, and is the author many best-selling poetry books including Hey Little Bug! and I'm a Little Alien. James Carter lives in Wallingford, Oxfordshire.

Nicola Colton is an Irish illustrator living in Bristol. Her style is whimsical with an emphasis on colour and she likes to create characters full of warmth, humour and playfulness. She is passionate about children's illustration and her first picture book was awarded a White Raven by the International Youth Library and won the Literacy Association Ireland book Award.