The Language of Cat

Overview

A reissue of Rachel Rooney's prizewinning first poetry collection

Teach me the language of Cat:
the slow-motion blink, that crystal stare,
a tight-lipped purr and a wide-mouthed hiss.
Let me walk with a saunter, nose in the air

Full of wordplay and riddles, with poems that will make you laugh, tell you stories and make you think.

Reviews

"A well-crafted, stimulating and un-patronising box of delights, always accessible and constantly inventive." —Carol Ann Duffy

"Something rare – a poetry book for children that doesn't patronise its intended audience." —Guardian, Poetry Books of the Year

"These poems have a subtle distinctive speaking voice, lighting up shifts of thought and feeling that young readers will recognize but that clichés would conceal. Rachel Rooney relishes and shares the craft of poetry; gradually you spot exacting games of form and language beneath a surface that seems simple enough for youngest readers to approach, and the poems will grow in the reader’s mind with re-reading, year by year." —Centre for Literacy in Primary Education

"Rooney writes persuasively, and often amusingly, about the 'P' word. Other poems are thoughtful, quirky, sensitive, amusing, occasionally edgy. Hers is a welcome new voice." —Books for Keeps

"A remarkably assured collection." —Carousel

"Quirky, funny and thought-provoking. This is an entertaining little book to dip into on holidays." —Irish Examiner

"With wordplay, riddles and poems that are funny, fast-paced, lyrical and thought-provoking, this is an exciting debut from an outstanding new poet." —Lovereading

"Wordplay, riddles, fun poetic forms abound in this remarkably assured debut collection… These are poems that will make you laugh and think simultaneously - and ultimately yearn to learn the wonderful language of cat." —Bookfest Ireland - Recommended Reading Guide

"This is not a children's poetry book - it's a book of poetry that many children will enjoy, but which deserves a place on the grown-up shelf, too. Many of the poems work on several levels, most are thought provoking, all are clever and illustrate the poet's love of language and wordplay. There are poems about love, about growing up, about ambition, about loss and about the nature of poetry. This is the first solo collection by Rachel Rooney. I am sure it will be the first of many." —Secret Lives of Poets

"What a treat. . . . This debut collection is full of gems that can appeal to both a young reader - and an adult. Rooney makes sophisticated use of language and is at ease with a variety of poetic forms and rhythms. If this sounds serious, it is not. The whole is imbued with a subtle humour, presented with a smile and accompanied by charming line drawings by Ellie Jenkins. Above all The Language of Cat celebrates words and the poet's craft. This slim little book contains treasure." —Ferelith Hordon, Chair, the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Judges 2011

Author Biography

Rachel Rooney is the author of My Life as a Goldfish, A Kid In My Class and Hey, Girl! She worked as a teacher of special needs children while bringing up her three sons, and continues to take a close interest in the welfare of children with mental health problems. She lives in Brighton, East Sussex.