Author Profile - Michael Rosen

Michael Rosen
Image Source: http://www.michaelrosen.co.uk/


Michael Rosen is an author of every sort of children's book - picture, poetry, fiction/non-fiction. He writes for newspapers and magazines and performs his poetry. You hear him on the radio often, and he presents BBC Radio 4's Word of Mouth which explores the 'world of words' and the ways in which we use them; interviewing authors, scholars, celebrity and others to get their take on the subject.


Rosen has appeared in children's educational TV and contributes poetry and curriculum related activities. I credit Rosen the most in introducing my son and daughter to poetry in particular. My children and their session sharing friends enjoyed his fun and imaginative approaches to teaching English during the Home Ed years, so I was interested to I hear that the author has recently been appointed Professor of Children's Literature at Goldsmiths, University of London in which he helps to run a MA in Children's Literature course.


Rosen's verse rolls nicely,his chosen words are often uncomplicated and he uses repetition like no one else. He conveys so much by saying very little. Simple words can encapsulate the whole of the poem. Sometimes lines often contain one short word

'if'

'so' the style is very free it does not demand attention, but children like it, they immediately get it. Rosen was the Children's Laureate in 2007.


His prose has that same appeal, the comedy is fast and witty. Published last month is a children's novel entitled Uncle Gobb and the Dread Shed. it's about Malcolm, his mum, and Uncle Gobb who is homework mad! Illustrated by Neal Layton this book is a wonderful pairing of talents and not the first for Bloomsbury.