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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

...to dislike Michael Rosen's poetry?

64 replies

Nemo1986 · 08/10/2016 15:31

I mean, I just.... don't think it's very good. Clearly he has massive appeal, but I just. don't. get. it.

Anyone else?

OP posts:

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 08/10/2016 21:34

I don't agree with his support of Corbyn (despite being left wing myself) but he is absolutely right about education policy, specifically literacy

I agree

garlicandsapphire · 08/10/2016 21:50

A few years ago, Michael Rosen came into DS's class and did some very funny story writing exercises. DS, who was never easy to impress, was talking about him for weeks and thought him very, very funny. A week or two later I saw Michael Rosen at the bus stop and told him how much my son enjoyed his visit and that DS said 'he's so funny he could be a comedian'. MR laughed - 'Oh that's good to know, if it doesn't work out for me as a writer, I could consider that as a career option...'

A week after that DS and I were going to hospital to have his broken arm checked and MR was at the bus stop and remembered me. He said 'oh is this him?' and proceeded to tell DS loads of jokes about breaking your arm. Wow, my son was so happy all the way on the bus there and back... repeating all the jokes... He was so chuffed. Michael Rosen said this, Michael Rosen said that...

I've never read any of his books apart from Bear Hunt which we all loved, but he's a hero in my house to this day.

HalloToJasonIsaacs · 08/10/2016 21:55

I think he's made a career out of Bear Hunt which he totally didn't write. Very different from Squash and a Squeeze which is a traditional story that Donaldson retold in rhyme.

Also he's talking utter bollocks about phonics, and left to his own devices would cause untold damage to many children.

Bobcat15 · 08/10/2016 22:05

I once went round his house for a cup of tea (I was friends with his stepdaughter at the time). He was lovely. I brought my well worn copy of Quick, Let's Get Out of Here which is a book of poems I'd had since I was about 8. He wrote a wonderful dedication in the front for me and we talked openly about his dead son, Eddie.

BakeOffBiscuits · 08/10/2016 22:11

My DDs loved him and we used to read a couple of his poems every night.

They still quite lines and they are in their twenties. He can't be all that bad.

Mouseinahole · 08/10/2016 22:45

I love his poems especially the ones about his family. He wrote a lot about his son Eddie as a small child which made The Sad Book even more poignant.

Original poster

Nemo1986 · 08/10/2016 22:53

I've been to one of Michael Rosen's readings and I will admit to having a great evening. Ditto the youtube videos. He is an extremely entertaining man and a born performer. I also agree with his politics and feel sure that were I to get to know him I would like him very much.

But this was about his poetry, which i find completely underwhelming, I'd be really interested to know from those who like reading it (or hearing performed by somebody other than Rosen) what exactly they like about it?

(I must admit I have never read the Sad book, from what I have heard it does sound like a powerful read.)

OP posts:

Mouseinahole · 09/10/2016 02:15

On the whole Rosen writes for children. He takes a simple story as in 'Please Mrs Butler' or 'Chocolate Cake' and, using blank verse rather than rhyme, he makes it hilariously funny and, for children, memorable. Think about 'great' poetry, especially great narrative verse and how it affects a grown up. That is what Rosen can give a child and that response opens so many doors into literature.

TheKitchenWitch · 09/10/2016 08:45

I intensely dislike how he performs his poems etc too. Like anything it's a matter of taste.

Masketti · 09/10/2016 09:26

Nemo Ha I see how that could be taken two ways! His writing is absolute garbage. His books, his poetry just everything he produces. Emperor's New Clothes in my opinion. There's a buzz about him so everyone thinks he must be good and they're the ones missing something. Till you realise it's just garbage. Edward Lear wrote genuine nonsense like the Quangle Wangle and I love that! Spike Milligan is good fun too. But Michael Rosen, maybe he does appeal to some kids and clearly some adults but he's Marmite because my heart sinks when his books get picked off our bookcase. I have them so as not to unduly influence my children's tastes but I definitely don't enjoy them.

JacquesHammer · 09/10/2016 11:02

I don't like his work much at all. However he seems massively popular so I guess most people do.

Like Hollie McNish - her poems are god-awful but people rave about her.

I love Lear and Milligan though - some of thebest nonsense poems ever.

Maudlinmaud · 09/10/2016 11:31

Mouse Please Mrs Butler is by Allan Ahlberg. I think.
My students perform Rosens poetry for festivals and examinations. Sometimes they do find his work confusing when reading it themselves, due to his use of prose style poetry but they like it when taught how to perform.

Mouseinahole · 09/10/2016 18:13

You are right Maud! It is Allan Ahlberg. I have it in an anthology of verse for children along with some Rosen poems and others.

Maudlinmaud · 09/10/2016 18:26

Now Allan really is brillant Mouse have you read scissors?

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