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Firefly Press has scooped Doughnuts, Thieves and Chimpanzees, an "innovative" poetry "how to" collection, from children’s laureate Alex Wharton and illustrated by Rhiannon Smith.
Publisher Penny Thomas acquired world English rights from directly from the author. The collection will be published on 12th October 2023.
For readers aged nine to 12, Doughnuts, Thieves and Chimpanzees contains "fun" poems, limericks, haikus, songs and rap. It also has brief introduction to different types of poets and lyric-writing as well as sections on how to create your own poems and songs along with links from songs in the book to performances on Wharton’s website.
Wharton said: "Doughnuts, Thieves and Chimpanzees is curious, playful and imaginative. It is interactive, encouraging the reader to enjoy, collaborate on and participate in many forms of writing including limericks, haikus, raps and songs.
"The book is fun, leaning towards the playfulness of language that I’ve found works so brilliantly in a school setting, after visiting thousands of students over the years. I hope the book inspires the reader to use poetry in their own lives, as a method of reflection, communication, solidarity, creativity, education or even therapy. The poems stir a sense of joy, and I hope that encourages a long-lasting connection with literature that is purposeful and developmental."