By Brian Bilston (author) , Jose Sanabria (illustrator) Part of the Poetry Gift Book series
"The world can be looked at another way"
Hardback In Stock £8.99 £8.09
View All Editions (3)
Brian Bilston’s poem talks about refugees opening with the lines, ‘They have no need of our help/So do not tell me/ These haggard faces could belong to you or me.’ But at the lines, ‘Do not be so stupid to think that/The world can be looked at another way’, we read the poem again, this time from bottom back to the top, and an opposite meaning appears, ‘These haggard faces could belong to you or me/ So do not tell me/ They have no need of our help.’
Bilston uses the palindrome or reverse poem to make readers and listeners question the cruel, fearful discourse around refugees – heard too often – and to emphasise the kinder view.
José Sanabria’s striking painterly illustrations are very powerful too. In the first half, scenes around the refugees are nightmarish with threatening, scary shapes and figures on all sides. In the second half, the palette is much brighter, here people are depicted welcoming refugees with flowers, food, toys for the children. The illustrations make clear the choice the poem is offering, and which option is the happier for us all.
Refugee is a powerful word.
One that conjures opposing emotions. For some it provokes feelings of fear and hate, for others the need for compassion, understanding, and empathy. In this celebrated poem, Refugees , Brian Bilston tells both sides of the story by cleverly crafting a verse that can be read backward and forward to convey two opposing views.
Brian Bilston is often described as the "Poet Laureate of Twitter" (now X) and this much admire poem, perfectly accompanied by artwork from illustrator, Jose Sanabria, is a wonderful way to explore this emotive issue as you realize that it's not just the words that have been reversed!
Brian Bilston writes poems full of humour, energy and heart and has become much loved on social media. His published poetry collections include, You Took the Last Bus Home , Alexa, what is there to know about love? , Let Sleeping Cats Lie , 50 Ways to Score a Goal , And So This is Christmas and Days Like These .
70 Children's Books Celebrating our Love of Poetry
Children's Books that raise awareness of Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Brian Bilston: Questions and Answers with our Poet of the Month
the best books for 7-9 year olds · the best books for 9-12 year olds · the best books for teenagers
More Tales from Shakespeare
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (Puffin 85th Anniversary Clothbound Edition)
On the Move: Poems About Migration
Everest: The Remarkable Story of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay
Refugee is a powerful word. One that conjures opposing emotions.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Refugees and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-12 years old
Refugees features in the following genres: Featured Books for 7+ readers, Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Recommendations, Poetry Books for Children, Gift Books, Children’s / Teenage stationery and miscellaneous items, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage poetry, anthologies, annuals, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Body and health, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE)
Hardback, Paperback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
Refugees was written by Brian Bilston and published by Gemini Children's Books an imprint of Gemini Children's Books Limited
Refugees has 32 pages
Yes it is part of Poetry Gift Book series
£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.