“A greeting that not only gives great pleasure but illuminates our lives—like a message in a bottle.”—Robert McCrum, writer and editor

“Ten Poems about Childhood” is a title in the “Instead of a Card” series, based on the idea that sending a greeting card is a lovely gesture, and sending a booklet of poetry an even more meaningful one.

Childhood must be one of poetry’s very favourite subjects. Countless poems try to capture the light and shade of being very young—moments that lodge vividly in our adult memories.

This beautiful mini-anthology ventures off the beaten track with poems that will be new to many readers. From a group of children who:

“…thought words travelled the wires
In the shiny pouches of raindrops...”
—Seaumus Heaney, “The Railway Children”

...to a baby entranced by mirrors and glass, we see the world in language that sparkles with newness.

Mimi Khalvati's selection reflects her fascination with how we learn to talk and read, and there are poems about a first encounter with books and about children from different cultures playing ball and swapping words in a village square.

Mimi Khalvati is an award-winning poet and founder of the Poetry School.

Each pamphlet is gorgeous both inside and out, beautifully produced with a cardstock cover, Ex Libris bookplate, and a bookmark gift enclosure with space for an inscription to the recipient.

With a cover created by leading contemporary artists and poems hand-picked to speak to every kind of reader, each “Instead of a Card” title offers a richly rewarding reading journey. Produced using biodegradable and sustainable materials.

Poems by Kayo Chingonyi, Jane Duran, Louise Glück, Seamus Heaney, Elizabeth Jennings, Mimi Khalvati, Hannah Lowe, James Merrill, Tracey K Smith, and James Womack. Cover illustration by Celia Hart

The manufacturer makes a donation to UNICEF for each packet sold. 

Dimensions: 5.5" x 8.25". 20 printed pages.