"It was nice to meet you too"

Last Saturday I was moved to see my initially un-engaged 9 year old son respond in a variety of positive ways to a poetry session performed by Michael Rosen. Hours after the event, he was still recalling the stories... 

The session we as a family attended was part of Poetry Fest 2019 organised in Stratford Upon Avon by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, supported by Arts Council England, and Michael's session was titled Poems and Stories for kids. We heard stories from Michael's growing up days, were taken through the steps of creating a poem, we learned new words and we even enjoyed a Shakespeare focussed quiz.

Well, it will be no surprise that the whole room was enthralled by Michael's engaging story telling but for me, or more importantly for my son, who arrived in a melancholy state, well he couldn't help but belly-laugh his way through. This normally quiet child was on the edge of his seat, thrusting his hand up to ask questions and waving his arms about as instructed, whilst also reciting poetry. It was an enthusiasm I haven't witnessed often enough.

Suffice to say that we all enjoyed our time completely, and to see my lad so thoroughly engaged was worth every penny. At the very end, after having one of his cherished books signed by the man himself my lad paused, turned back to Michael and with a degree of courage rarely seen said "It was nice to meet you too".

Well done to the organisers for a perfectly pitched, engaging, and valuable experience that will stay with our family for a very long time. 

#ShakespeareBirthplaceTrust #ArtsCouncilEngland #PoetryFest2019