A Selection of Paul's Books
Paul Cookson
Type of Artist:
Poet, Performer and Average Ukulele Player
Performances / Workshops
Performances showcase a wide variety of poetry and styles but do concentrate on fun, humour and audience participation.
Workshops – ideas, structures, techniques are discussed and we will usually write a group performance poem that the teacher can then follow up with more individual work – writing frameworks suggested as part of session
Details
Preferred age range:All ages and abilities catered for
No of sessions per day:
Negotiable – but 3 one hour sessions is preferable.
Two in the morning, one in the afternoon
In primary / infant – one hour sessions could be two 30 minute sessions
Session Length:
Performance – one hour
Workshops – dependent on timetabling constraints
KS2 / 3 / 4 – up to an hour
KS1 – 30 minutes
Areas prepared to travel to:
Based in Notttinghamshire, but will travel to all areas – but would need several schools in the same area if the distance from home was substantial for it to be cost effective and practical travel wise
Transport:
Usually car – sometimes train
Car – 40p per mile
Fees:
Hold PLI (public liability insurance):
Yes
Website:
Paul Cookson website
Also on Twitter - paulcooksonpoet
Titles include:
Macmillan Children's Books:
The Very Best of Paul Cookson ( Macmillan - April 2018 )
Pants on Fire
The Truth About Teachers
It’s Behind You
Spill The Beans
Frances Lincoln Children's Books:
Give Us A Goal
Testimonials:
“Paul is Slade’s poet Laureate – I guarantee you won’t be disappointed” – Noddy Holder
Paul has worked with the National Football Museum for over a decade. His enthusiasm, expertise and rapport with people of all ages is incredible. He is the inspiration behind our award winning Streetspeak poetry project that has enthused disadvantaged boys and girls and youngsters, to make them want to listen to, read and write poetry but most of all, to have fun and a great experience they couldn't have believed possible. Football has been the hook and no- one understands what this means to fans more than Paul. You read his poems and think, "yes, that's what it's all about, that's what it really means to me, a football fan"
Peter Evans, National Football Museum
“If you get a lump in your throat merely hearing those words “three o’clock Saturday afternoon” you know instinctively what “Saturday Men” will inevitably be about. Grab this book! They tell me that Paul Cookson is “a national reading hero”. After reading this he’s my hero too”
Bill Kenwright
“Paul Cookson is my favourite poet” – Joe Royle
“Hilarious” – The Times
“Wordsmithery of the highest order and wittiest bent ( to express heartfelt affection for the Ayatollah of holler and his illustrious glam cohorts )” – Mark Radcliffe
“Simple, direct and poetic. Caring, compassionate and funny.” – Ian McMillan
“Paul manages to capture that misty world of childhood in a way that nobody has succeeded yet and walks us through that door and into that garden many of us had forgotten. Enjoy.” –
Mike Harding
“As funny as ever – always a festival highlight” – Northern Children’s Book Festival
“An abundance of jests, jokes and japes – like The Beano in poetry form” – Junior Education
“A whirlwind of poetry fun, laughter and audience participation. Exciting, explosive and hugely entertaining” – Edinburgh International Book Festival “I didn’t like poetry before I saw you. It was brilliant – I couldn’t stop laughing!” – John Year 6
“I haven’t laughed so much since I saw Eddie Izzard – inspiring!” –
Claire Waldron, Literacy Co-ordinator, Wolsingham Primary School
“Uproariously unboring!” – Harry, aged 8
I am a member of staff from Whitehills primary & just wanted to say I thought your poetry and interaction with the children was fantastic! Thank you! T. Clayson
Just wanted to say a big thank you for the brilliant day on Friday!
The students loved it & are buzzing!
Thank you so much!
Lucy Edwards, Librarian/Year 7 Pastoral Assistant, St Katherine's School
After seeing you again recently at this year’s Hull Children’s Book Awards, our students went back to school raving about this fantastic comedian/ poet who they thought was brilliant J Oliver, Winifred Holtby School The week was amazing and inspiring. He is one of the best authors, motivators and entertainers I have ever hosted in 28 years of being a teacher librarian. The whole school was alive with poetry and laughter. His energy and generosity in sharing his knowledge and passion with students and teachers really bore poetic fruit. ie a mother told me her son who had never written a poem in his life came home and wrote 20 that weekend. A student did a home movie. Teachers said students were begging them to let them write poetry for homework.
Jane Edgar, Librarian, International School of Kuala Lumpur
Published work: