Bernard Young

Details

Bernard is a poet and performer who leads writing workshops for children (and sometimes adults). He's performed in schools, libraries, leisure centres, pubs, playgroups and supermarkets! and many literary festivals including Hull, Ilkley, Lancaster and the Young Readers Birmingham Festival.

His poems feature in numerous anthologies for young readers (including The Works, Poetry Store, Wizard Poems, Pet Poems, Family Poems, Space Poems, How To Survive School, The Secret Life of Pants, The Jumble Book) and have been broadcast on local and national radio and on TV.

School visits usually begin with a performance in the hall followed by workshops. (But I'm very flexible and fit in with what you want and, as you can see from my picture, I accompany some of the poems with guitar).

Books for Sale

I can bring my books (What Are You Like? (2018) £5.99, Brilliant £5.99, Wanted Alive, £4.95, and Shouting at the Ocean, £4.99) to sell & sign.  

Specialism 

I often work with councils and help deliver sustainable travel and road safety messages.

Miss Wise On Her Bike

Fluorescent by day

Reflective by night

Miss Wise on her bike

Is a wonderful sight

She glides through the traffic

Freewheels past the jam

And all the time thinks

What a smart girl I am

I arrive on time

I don’t pay to park

I’m soon at my desk

And ready to start

Then when my work’s done

And it’s time to go

I put on my helmet

My journey’s not slow

When I take to the road

On the days I commute

I’m happy to say

I don’t clog or pollute

Fluorescent by day

Reflective by night

Miss Wise on her bike

Is a wonderful sight

I also enjoy leading family writing workshops (where children, parents, grandparents, friends write together) and giving performances for children and adults...

Listen, Laugh, Tap Your Feet and join guitar playing poet Bernard Young for a fun filled performance of poetry for children (and their grown ups!).  Join in...listen, laugh and tap your feet. Yeah!

Feedback 

'Just loved it. Thank you so much.' Muriel Garner, Year 6 teacher, Collingwood Primary, Hull

'We all had a great day and the children have been talking about it ever since. This morning we had a celebration assembly and once again they wanted to share their poetry with school.' Kathryn Johnson, North Featherstone Junior and In fant School

'Many thanks for the great lesson you spent with my Year 2 class this week. They really enjoyed it and have already been practicing the poem they composed with you.'  Anthony Oram, Swanland Primary School

'We've never produced such a variety of high quality poems before. Thank you.'  Mrs Farey, Headteacher Roos Primary, East Yorkshire

'Thank you so much for such an entertaining and enjoyable day. I am sure you appreciated just how much the children gained from your visit but I just wanted to emphasise the value of your day. We could not normally produce such high quality writing so rapidly and painlessly!' Sue Conway, Hull

'Thank you so much. We loved your poetry. Please please come again.' Class 5, St Teresa's Primary, Darlington

'You've worked wonders!'  Year 5 teacher, Hull

'Thank you for the poems, fun and inspiration. Brilliant!' Settrington School, N. Yorks.

'On behalf of pupils and staff may I thank you for your outstanding contribution to our week. The children thoroughly enjoyed your poetry sessions and you certainly inspired them.' Headteacher Malton Primary

'You rock!'  Year 3 boy, Brompton Primary, N. Yorks

'We employed Bernard to work in schools during Walk to School Week. For the second year in a row he delivered excellent work for us and assisted greatly in delivering a sustainable travel message.' Ian Henry, Durham Council

'Bernard inspired the children. They loved it.' Annie Field, Chorister School, Durham

'Two of my favourite poems were 'Orange Socks' and 'Traffic Jam.' Mrs Birchall said they would be great for choral speaking.' Pupil at Fyling Hall School, N. Yorkshire

Mum is grumbling
Dad is growling
My brother's moaning
And I feel like howling

Traffic jam
Traffic jam
We're all stuck in a traffic jam

See more poems, photos and school visits info at bernardyoung.co.uk

Read an interview with Bernard at www.poetryzone.co.uk

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