By Oliver Sykes (author) , Ian Morris (illustrator)
"An original, moving collection of poems, highly recommended"
Paperback In Stock £8.99 £8.09
View All Editions (1)
June 2024 Debut of the Month
Home is ‘the place where, when you have to go there/They have to take you in’ in Robert Frost’s famous poem; Oliver Sykes uses poems to create a very different sense of home in this debut collection, a vibrant, warts and all description of his own childhood experiences.
After his mum left the family when Oliver was 8, his dad had sole responsibility for looking after their six kids. It was tough, and they didn’t have much money – the first poem explains how Dad went poaching rabbits and trout to get them through the weeks until the first benefit cheque arrived, the kids all helping in whatever way they could.
In sections titled Meet the Family, Dad’s Most Dangerous Dishes, Savage Siblings and Priceless Pranks, we live the life that Oliver lived, the scrapping and arguing, the days out, the games, and the precious moments when it was just him and his dad, one particularly powerful poem describing going boxing, just the two of them.
There’s a wonderful sense of the helter-skelter of life with so many brothers and sisters but just as clear is the sense of family love and togetherness. Ian Morris’s black and white illustrations catch the moments of quiet as well as the noise.
There’s Dad’s disgusting nettle soup and peculiar pancakes, horrible home haircuts, punishing press-ups and scum in the bath tub. BUT then there’s the joy of boxing lessons with Dad, fun family outings, jokes and pranks – and storytelling round the fire. Not to mention a homemade birthday cake like no other!
Read the full description
The author's real-life childhood – rough, tough but happy – is vividly depicted in this ground-breaking, debut story told in poems.
‘Beautiful, honest and bursting with heart. You can feel the love in these pages.’ Rashmi Sirdeshpande, Booktrust’s Writer-in- Residence, and author of We’ve Got This! and How To Be Extraordinary
Oliver Sykes grew up on a council estate in Derbyshire. A former amateur boxer and qualified boxing coach, since 2015 he has worked with Manchester-based Stories of Care, where he is now Lead Artist and Producer.
His debut story, Alfie's First Fight, illustrated by Ian Morris, is winner of the 'Illustrated Young Reader' category at the 2023 Children's Literature Festivals Book Awards. A theatre adaptation went on a national tour of England in 2022.
Oliver lives in Manchester.
Photo credit Dawn Kilner
We've got some great stuff related to this book in our KidsZone. Head over there and check it out now.
70 Children's Books Celebrating our Love of Poetry
The Best Children's Books to read with Dad this Father's Day!
The Week Junior Book Awards 2025 Shortlist Announced
The Year’s Best Poetry for Children: CLiPPA shortlist 2025
the best books for 9-12 year olds
John Agard and 1 more
I Stole My Genius Sister's Brain
Eric and the Green-Eyed God
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway (book 12)
There’s Dad’s disgusting nettle soup and peculiar pancakes, horrible home haircuts, punishing press-ups and scum in the bath tub. BUT then there’s the joy of boxing lessons with Dad, fun family outings, jokes and pranks – and storytelling round the fire.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed We Are Family - Six Kids and a Super-Dad and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-10 years old
We Are Family - Six Kids and a Super-Dad features in the following genres: Featured Books for 7+ readers, Featured Books for 9+ readers, Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Stories about Family and Friends, Funny, Poetry Books for Children, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage poetry, anthologies, annuals
Paperback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
We Are Family - Six Kids and a Super-Dad was written by Oliver Sykes and published by Otter-Barry Books Ltd
We Are Family - Six Kids and a Super-Dad has 111 pages
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.
©PTC International Ltd T/A LoveReading is registered in England. Company number: 10193437. VAT number: 270 4538 09. Registered address: 157 Shooters Hill, London, SE18 3HP. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer
The National Year of Reading starts here. Join thousands of families and schools supporting reading for pleasure across the UK.