We are delighted to welcome Colette Hiller to the blog to talk about The B on Your Thumb a collection of poetry published by Quarto which uses rhythm, humour and wordplay to help to develop a love of the English language.  The book has been chosen as a recommended read for National Poetry Day.

I began life as a dancer at  NY’s  High School of Performing Arts (as in  the film Fame.) Interestingly, fame was not something any of us thought about.  But yes, we really did dance on the desks !    I  came to London with the original  Broadway production of Annie and liked it so much I stayed.   After years on the London stage – with the RSC (spear carrier on the right) and the National Theatre (spear carrier on the left) , I joined The BBC  as a researcher and then producer.   I  loved it there and worked 

across many departments, Education to Current Affairs. This led to my role as a cultural producer at   Sing London, filling  city streets with public pianos, ping pong tables and Talking Statues.  I’ve  also written a best selling children’s CD –  Applehead  – The B is my first book. 

The oral nature of language and storytelling is such an important part of our literary culture and of our early introductions to reading.  How much did this influence you?

Strawberry short cake cream on top. Tell me the name of  your sweet heart is it A? B? C  I was hugely influenced by the skipping rope and handclapping songs of my youth.    The rhythm, internal meter and simplicity of these rhymes  stuck in my head.   Further influence came from A A Milne , Mother Goose and  from Alligator Pie the Canadian classic by  Dennis Lee.  ( I was chuffed to bits when  Dennis Lee  wrote an endorsement for the book. And in  rhyme!)

Are there any rhymes that are particular favourites and, if so, why?

These rhymes  are  like  my children so I don’t like to show favouritism! That said...I especially like  TION – which tells  a  funny story.   The A in my Head – is wonderfully  daft!   And... I like A lot  a lot.   I’m actually a  rotten speller  myself, and so this  rhyme reminds me how to spell the word!. 

A  Lot

A  lot is not  just one word ,

 it’s always made of two

A lot of people don’t  know that

From now on, you do!

How important do you think sharing and reading aloud is?

Reading aloud  is  particularly important  with poetry .  When a poem is words on the page,  it’s only half formed.   It comes alive when said aloud.     My challenge when writing these was to create rhymes which felt  easy to recite,  and  gratifying.

Some of the complexities and irregularities of the English language can make learning to read quite tricky?  Do you have any experiences from working with BBC Education or through your work with early education about some of the challenges associated with this?

English is tricky and  lots of things seem to make no sense.  But  that doesn’t mean  these irregularities are s tricky to teach.   You just have to explain that they are weird.  For that matter,  take my rhyme to explain the spelling of  WEIRD

WEIRD

I before E

Except after C

And W too

On the odd occasion

(Which is wEIrd!)

What do you think of Tor's illustrations and did you have any interaction with him during the process of the book?

Tor ’s illustrations are  lively, entertaining and imaginative.  While a silent B may be painfully  shy, a Bossy E is  downright  bolshie!  But more than that, the illustrations  reinforce   the learning message  of each rhyme.    They are also  filled with  hidden things for children to find. 


There is a real sense of play, fun and interaction in the book, how important do you feel these are to learning?

I think the process of  learning to read should itself be enjoyable and entertaining.  It  shouldn’t be  arduous or medicinal.  And above all it shouldn’t be predictable!

All of these rhymes were  created around  a  playful sense of fun. 

Thank you to Colette for the interview and to Quarto for the opportunity.