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With her husband, Ebenezer, now 'doornail dead', the coldest Christmas Eve on record finds Mrs Scrooge outside the supermarket, protesting against consumerism and waste. 'Spoilsport!' shout the passersby as they load up their shopping carts with Christmas goodies. Just as Ebenezer did, Mrs Scrooge keeps to her frugal ways ...but with the current state of the world, perhaps Mrs Scrooge has the right idea. That night, alone in her bed with Catchit the cat beside her, Mrs Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. As each in succession takes her by the hand and sweeps through the scenes of her life, Mrs Scrooge learns not only what the 'Christmas Spirit' really means, but the nature of the real gifts we give and receive. ... Read more

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The first long study of an important contemp orary woman poet and playwright, this text looks at Duffy''s work from her early development and involvement with the Liv erpool poets in the 1970s, through to her most recent collec tion The World''s Wife. ' ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Deryn Rees-Jones on Duffy's Poetry
Accounting for approximately all the resource material available on Duffy, this book is a 'must-have' for all those A-level students requireing a deeper exploration of her frequently reccuring themes and ideas.Deryn Rees-Jones provides a critical commentry of selected poems highlighting aspects such as style, language and intention whilst purposely refusing to define Duffy's precise role in the poetic field, "Shall I call her a woman poet, a working class poet..."By maintaining this ambiguity, Deryn Rees-Jones can effectively demonstrate Duffy'y ability to portray various existing minorities.

Although exessively detailed, this book is able to capture the essence and development of Duffy's writing.It begins by taking us through her use of the dramatic monologue and describes how this technique was essential in order for Duffy to 'find her own voice.'Jones explores this progression, showing how Duffy was able to cristalise her style in order to acheive such a refreshing yet satirical observation of mainstream society.

The sometimes complex interpretations and references do juxtapose with Carol Ann Duffy's own quotations throughout the book, almost to the point where her interviews serve to undermine such extensive and calculated analysis.It seems almost comical that amongst the intense commentry, Duffy admits that she writes with no pre-meditation, "I dont think 'right, today I'm going to write about...'"For that reason I'm not sure that Duffy herself would purchase a copy of the book, but I would recommend it to anyone looking to adopt an analytical approach to poetry.In fact, to indulge in Duffy's affection for the cliche, it's a great buy.

Deryn Rees-Jones on Duffy's Poetry
Accounting for approximately all the resource material available on Duffy, this book is a 'must-have' for all those A-level students requireing a deeper exploration of her frequently reccuring themes and ideas.Deryn Rees-Jones provides a critical commentry of selected poems highlighting aspects such as style, language and intention whilst purposely refusing to define Duffy's precise role in the poetic field, "Shall I call her a woman poet, a working class poet..."By maintaining this ambiguity, Deryn Rees-Jones can effectively demonstrate Duffy'y ability to portray various existing minorities.

Although exessively detailed, this book is able to capture the essence and development of Duffy's writing.It begins by taking us through her use of the dramatic monologue and describes how this technique was essential in order for Duffy to 'find her own voice.'Jones explores this progression, showing how Duffy was able to cristalise her style in order to acheive such a refreshing yet satirical observation of mainstream society.

The sometimes complex interpretations and references do juxtapose with Carol Ann Duffy's own quotations throughout the book, almost to the point where her interviews serve to undermine such extensive and calculated analysis.It seems almost comical that amongst the intense commentry, Duffy admits that she writes with no pre-meditation, "I dont think 'right, today I'm going to write about...'"For that reason I'm not sure that Duffy herself would purchase a copy of the book, but I would recommend it to anyone looking to adopt an analytical approach to poetry.In fact, to indulge in Duffy's affection for the cliche, it's a great buy. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Carol Ann Duffy is great!
I am hooked on Carol Ann Duffy's poems.Like all poetry, they get better and better the more times they are read.It helps to have a glass of Sherry.Then, I sat on the couch between my two big dogs and read aloud.They seemed to enjoy the poems also.

always surprising, always impressive
Carol Ann Duffy covers a wide world from her London perch in the 1980's. Her poetry is modern, well-written, easy to click into, and gripping in its realism. Often you are the character,and always you are sucked well andtruly in! This is now in a reprint, 10 years after being one of Duffy'sfirst published collections. An entertaining and warming forary into theworld of poetry! Carol Ann Duffy now lives in Manchester. Born in Glasgowshe spent her early twenties writing poetry in Liverpool, moving down toLondon and really taking the poetry world by storm. It is well worthchecking out anything with her name on it. Look also for plays by Carol AnnDuffy. ... Read more

Product Description
In this delightful new collection of poetry for children, Carol Ann Duffy takes us on a mud-and-all ramble through sand, socks, songs and schoolrooms. Charming and witty, infectiously enjoyable, these poems take pleasure in the discovery of imaginative worlds, from the loneliness of ghosts and ghouls to a shopping trip by Manchunian cows. At the heart of the book a poem which follows the mischievous and educational journey of a hat blown through history, from one literary head to another, quoting its owner's most famous lines as it goes. ... Read more

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Carol Ann Duffy has selected 36 of the best world poets writing today and invited each of them to select a love poem written by the opposite sex which will appear opposite their own love poem. The poets have been encouraged to look to other centuries for their choice as well as to our own time. Simon Armitage, Hugo Williams, Billy Collins, Jackie Kay, Don Paterson, Jo Shapcott sit alongside Stevie Smith, Seamus Heaney, Elizabeth Bishop, John Donne. This is a wonderful, heartwarming collection for Valentine's Day and for every other day of the year... ... Read more

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In 2009, Carol Ann Duffy became the first female Poet Laureate, to much public acclaim. This study looks at Duffy's work, from her early development and involvement with the Liverpool poets in the 1970s, through to her most recent collection. It concentrates on the way in which Duffy develops her use of the dramatic monologue and the love poem, and traces her interest in surrealism and a tradition of European modernism. ... Read more

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Dive under the sea to the underwater farmyard where dolphins dance among the sheep and cows, while a musical octopus plays. This is a magical picture book written by the new Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, and illustrated by Joel Stewart, winner of the Macmillan Prize for Illustration. 'One of those rare books that make you very glad something so strange and so beautiful exists' - "Independent". 'a dreamy bedtime story' - "Financial Times". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Lovely illustrations and lovelier poem.
I bought this book for my 9 month old daughter at a London airport bookstore.Almost a year later, it's still one of my very favorites.The lovely illustrations, I especially love the sheep, are wonderful but the poem is outstanding.This is one of those books that you hope that your child will want you to read over and over, even if it's in the same evening.With my first child, we thought Boynton was the best.After purchasing this book, I would trade all our Boyntons for just one more Duffy.This book is also timeless and enjoyable for children (and adults) of any age.I can definitely see myself reading this book to my daughter for years to come.

Lovely illustrations and lovelier poem.
I bought this book for my 9 month old daughter at a London airport bookstore.Almost a year later, it's still one of my very favorites.The lovely illustrations, I especially love the sheep, are wonderful but the poem is outstanding.This is one of those books that you hope that your child will want you to read over and over, even if it's in the same evening.With my first child, we thought Boynton was the best.After purchasing this book, I would trade all our Boyntons for just one more Duffy.This book is also timeless and enjoyable for children (and adults) of any age.I can definitely see myself reading this book to my daughter for years to com . ... Read more

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'Hippos wallow in the moon's deep craters, Bobbing with the rhinos and the alligators'. The moon tiger scratches at shooting stars, polar bears float down from their mountain for starfish and chips, and the zookeeper, of course, is an alien. Carol Ann Duffy's lyrical, humorous verse illuminates an entrancing world that is both familiar and strange. This is a very special book. ... Read more

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A retelling of classic children's tales by The Brothers Grimm, including "Snow White", "Rumpelstiltskin", "Ashputtel" ("Cinderella") and "Little Red-cap". This interpretation by Carol Ann Duffy seeks to remove the sugariness of contemporary versions and return to the orginal, darker mould. ... Read more

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In Duffy's second collection for children, we are trained by the oldest girl in the world to be alert to every one of our senses. Meet a bad princess, and a king of snide, discover spells to get rid of unwanted pests, and learn that transformation is a way of life. ... Read more

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Doris is a lonely giant who lives above the world but never feels she's part of it. One day her life changes when she meets another giant, called Boris. ... Read more

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In this, her third collection of poetry for children, Carol Ann Duffy brings a contagious, whirling energy to all she surveys. Whether it's the heroes of rock 'n' roll, stray giantesses and queens, the husband of the Lock Ness monster, or a girl that falls into a jam jar; with secrets and spells, songs of unrequited love, confessions and pleas, she envelops them all in an irresistible dance of rhythm and rhyme. Rock n roll and poetry collide in a book that every good - and yes, all right! - every bad child deserves. ... Read more

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The second volume of this occasional series introduces another nine talented newcomers. The variety of poetic voices and themes on display reflects backgrounds which range from Scotland to Bristol and from gardening to rock bands. Many have been published in magazines or have already won awards; all are passionately involved with poetry. Together they convey the excitement, skill and richness to be found in British poetry today.

The poets included are Sean Boustead, Colette Bryce, Kate Clanchy, Oliver Comins, Christina Dunhill, Alice Oswald, Richard Price, Mike Venner and John Whale. ... Read more

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Three dark, powerful tales, as sinister as anything the Brothers Grimm came up with, of jealousy and fear, of age and beauty, of growing up and of wanting to be a child for ever. Duffy's writing is astonishingly beautiful as she seductively draws you in to a shadowy fairy-tale world. ... Read more

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This is the author's first collection of poems for younger children. It aims to demonstrate how poetry can be funny, sad, scary, exhilarating and full of relevance to the way we live - all at the same time! ... Read more

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In an outstanding collection of both classic and new poems, thirty of the best contemporary poets have selected their favourite children's poem to appear alongside a poem of their own. Poets such as Sophie Hannah, Jackie Kay, Valerie Bloom, Wendy Cope, Kit Wright, Andrew Motion, Roger McGough and Matthew Sweeney rub shoulders with the likes of Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson, John Betjeman, Edward Lear, Hilaire Belloc and e e cummings, to name but a few. ... Read more

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In a collection of both classic and new poems, 30 contemporary poets have selected their favourite children's poem to appear alongside a poem of their own. Poets such as Sophie Hannah, Jackie Kay, Valerie Bloom, and Wendy Cope rub shoulders with Robert Burns, John Betjeman and Edward Lear. ... Read more