BOOKS
A PASSING ON OF SHELLS
Poems by Simon Lamb
Illustrated by Chris Riddell
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There's hope within a hermit crab . . .
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Scallywag Press proudly present Simon Lamb's dazzling debut collection of poetry, featuring fifty luminous poems, each written in exactly fifty words, fully-illustrated throughout by much-loved former Children's Laureate Chris Riddell.
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With subjects ranging from family, identity, and growing up, to the need for hope, the wonder of nature, and the very concept of poetry itself, Simon offers his poems as small nuggets of wisdom, warmth and wit to help readers of all ages navigate their lives.
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Complementing the always-present three-dimensional sense of drama and interaction with the reader, every poem is gifted its own double page spread, each one exquisitely illustrated by Chris Riddell, with his distinctive insight and flair adding new layers of meaning and joy to these already magical poems.
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A beautifully-produced hardback gift edition with textured cover, de-bossing and thick paper, this is a book to read, to keep, to love.
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Format: Hardback, 112 pages
Publisher: Scallywag Press
Publication Date: 23/02/2023
ISBN: 9781915252128
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RRP £10.99
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[This book is widely available in bookstores and online, and signed/dedicated copies are available directly from the poet in-person or via the link, below.]
AWARDS . . .
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Nominated for The Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing 2024
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Longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2024
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Shortlisted for The Week Junior Book Awards 2023
IN THE MEDIA . . .
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Review: "This is beautiful." David Walliams.
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Feature: "One Cuboid. Many Worlds." on Children's Poetry Summit. Read it here.
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Film: With Nikki Gamble and Poet Debra Bertulis for Just Imagine. Watch it here.
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Interview: With Tanja Jennings for Youth Libraries Group. Read it here.
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Review: Kalpa Ghelani, Just Imagine. Read it here.
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Feature: "Invited to be Ignited" by Alison Craig, Ayrshire Magazine. Read it here.
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Review: Anne Thompson, Library Lady. Read it here.
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Review: Phoebe Demeger, CLPE. Read it here.
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Review: Jill R. Bennett, Red Reading Hub. Read it here.
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Review: Melanie Dillon, The School Reading List. Read it here.
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Review: Erin Lyn Hamilton, My Shelves Are Full. Read it here.
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Review: Blog, Through the Bookshelf. Read it here.
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Review: Katie Merrick & Anna Rushall, Peters. Read it here.
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Review: Julia Eccleshare MBE, LoveReading4Kids. (Also, Pick of the Month.) Read it here.
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Review & Blog Post: Brian Moses. Read it here.
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Simon was featured on the blog for the University of the West of Scotland here.
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Simon was interviewed for the John O'Groat Journal here.
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Simon writes about the book for Books for Keeps here.
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Review: Matthew Martin, Books for Keeps. Read it here.
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Review: Pam Norfolk, Lancashire Post. Read it here.
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Review: Matt Wilson, A Word About Words. Read it here.
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Review: Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times. Read it here.
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Books of the Year 2023 — comment from editor Janice Thomson on Books for Keeps, here.
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2023 Preview — Brilliant Children's Books to Look Forward to This Year on LoveReading4Kids, here.
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You can watch a video of Simon unboxing his first author copy here.
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You can watch a short animation of the cover reveal here.
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You can read the announcement of the book's acquisition here.
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You can view the book's listing on the publisher's website here.