Goldilocks on CCTV

Award winning poet John Agard has written a sharp and sophisticated new collection which gives an original twist to well-known fairy tale characters. A rhythmic mix of rap, rhyme and free verse reinvents familiar characters for the 21st century and explores their relevance for young people today.

Putting a streetwise spin on well-loved tales, 'Goldilocks on CCTV' by John Agard is a light, comedic, lyrical feast starring a busted Goldilocks, a biker Cinderella and Puss-in-Trainers.

A contemporary take on traditional tales by the multi-award-winning and ever-popular poet, complemented by Kitamura's wonderful illustrations. Agard's anarchic retelling is full of surprises and chuckles.

Editor's Choice: Kitamura's black and white illustrations are as unique as John Agard's subversive and thoroughly modern take on fairytales and legend… A gem of a collection.

A brilliant collection of poetry giving a contemporary and streetwise twist that will make you look at traditional fairy tales in a whole new light. Great fun!

A resolutely contemporary selection of poems tuning classic fairy tales on their heads that will delight older children and adults.

John Agard is one of Britain's finest poets, and in his reworking of classic fariy tales he has created a collection that is more revolutionary that cautionary.

John Agard and Satoshi Kitamura have been together for some time, and Goldilocks on CCTV, keeps up the standard. Agard offers some thought provoking updates of fairy tale characters, to which Kitamura provides a pictorial black and white commentary. This is poetry of some depth for older readers, in which, beneath the humour, Agard probes both traditional assumptions and modern mores, coming down now on one side and now on the other. Kitamura’s bold illustrations, sometimes full portraits facing the reader, sometimes silhouettes, produce a mood of challenge and mystery.

Agard and Kitamura, what a naughty - with glottal stop - combination.

A brilliantly subversive series of poems for teens from the pen of awarad-winning poet Agard. Some are funny, some poignant, such as the plea from an under-appreciated stepmother or the upbeat Ugly Sisters, but a few - Not My Uncle Bluebeard for example - are quite darak and genuinely challenging. Kitamura's distinctive illustrations complete this highly original, clever book.

Best Books of 2011: The best kids’ poetry book was John Agard’s ‘Goldilocks on CCTV’ which, though directed at teenagers can be enjoyed by younger children too. These distorted takes on classic fairy tales are dark, funny and endlessly imaginative – and Satoshi Kitamura’s illustrations are cheeky, haunting and gorgeous.

Poems in this collection really demand to be quoted, while the illustrations, often with complex allusions to other art, complement the verse in a unique manner. A collection to reread and ponder over!