Lucinda Jacob
 

I Am the Wind: Irish Poems for Children Everywhere

Winner of the Irish Children’s Book of the Year (Senior) 2023

A poem for every feeling in a book full of heart
— Patricia Forde, Laureate na nÓg (Irish Children's Laureate) 2023-2026

Winner of the Irish Children’s Book of the Year Award (Senior) 2023. This is a beautiful hardback book edited by Lucinda with award-winning writer Sarah Webb and illustrated by the brilliant Ashwin Chacko. It is a collection of Irish poems from the earliest times to contemporary and diverse voices, with well-loved favourites and some overlooked gems! A perfect gift for any child.

A beautiful anthology that will remain on your child’s bookshelf forever
— Sarah Crossan, fifth Laureate na nÓg (Irish Children's Laureate)

I have written lots of creative writing activities to go with this book.

They are available free in the I Am the Wind Poetry Kit, available to download here

And check out my ‘Poetry Pages’ for lots more!

Hopscotch in the Sky

This is my first poetry book! In it there are poems about friends, ice-creams, flying grannies, mermaids and lots more. I hope you'll think some are funny, some thoughtful and that you'll enjoy reading it. With the fab illustrations by Lauren O'Neill I hope you'll be inspired to write and draw yourself. You can buy the book here

Here are some reviews – things people have written about the book:

'… A wise and beautiful collection that every household should own’ – CBI Reading Guide

‘This is a charming, accessible collection from one of Ireland’s best poets for children, Lucinda Jacob. She covers all kinds of topics from friendship to school and her work cries out to be read aloud...a pocket treasure.’ – The Irish Independent 

‘This superb collection of illustrated poems is groundbreaking… The most striking thing is the integrity of the poet’s voice. It is a gentle though full voice. It is true to itself, to children and to poetry. –Inis Magazine

‘The poems in this first collection … are poems that invite the reader in, assuming shared experiences and memories, like walking in the wet tar of a hot concrete road in bare feet in summer or rescuing a doll’s picnic from the rain. This is poetry of observation and carefully modulated emotion... it offers a range of poetic forms to satisfy the national curriculum and some memorable moments … Hopefully, there are more poems and collections to come.’ – Books For Keeps

‘An inspiring and diverse collection that encourages readers to observe and record what they see, hear, smell, feel and taste. ...A wonderful collection of poems to activate your senses and make note of the changing seasons and the wonder that surrounds us. Hopscotch in the Sky is a collection to be cherished and will initiate much conversation and creativity, as well as inspire readers and budding poets to venture outside.’ – RTEjr Bookclub

Shortlisted for The Irish Times Children’s Book of the Year Award 2017

The Editor’s Choice, Children’s Books Ireland Reading Guide 2017

The Irish Independent, Best Children’s Books of 2017

Read Donegal ‘ReadDL One Book One Community' choice 2020

EmpathyLab Read for Empathy Collection 2020

Hopscotch in the Sky Poetry Kit

My Hopscotch in the Sky Poetry Kit is completely free and you don’t even need to buy the accompanying book to get it.

It is a bunch of ideas about writing poems. They are little seeds. If you plant them in your head they could grow into big ideas - or poems! 

If you like to write your own poems, or think you might like to try, then you are the very person I made this poetry kit for. Most of this book is for children - and of course you can read the bits for teachers too if you like.

If you are a teacher (or a parent) and you would like to have poetry-writing sessions with your students in class (or your children at home), then you are also the very person I made this Poetry Kit for. The sections labelled ‘For teachers' are especially for use in class, but you may also find useful ideas in the children's sections.

Writers who work with children who like to write poetry might also find this Poetry Kit useful.

You can get it free here!

Climate SOS! cover small copy.jpg

 Climate SOS!

This Super Exciting story written by Lucinda Jacob and illustrated by Alan Nolan, will switch you on to climate change! The Super Energy Activists Ireland are four kids (and one dog) who are finding out about sustainable energy and protecting the environment. But watch out! Their arch-nemesis Max Siphon and his sidekick Guzzler are determined to be super wasteful! Can Orla, Jack, Ahmed, Katerina and Sparkie stop their odious plans?

You can can download the free e-book or PDF version to read to home here and you can hear Lucinda read the book aloud here.

Climate SOS! for teachers - This book is being distributed to all Irish Primary schools and it links to the primary science curriculum as well as SPHE and literacy. Class sets can be borrowed from public libraries and resources and activities for teachers are available on the SEAI website here.

The Dream of the Plastic Bag - Sheet Music For SSA Voices

There is something very exciting about having your poem set to music - especially when it is published as sheet music so choirs everywhere can sing the song together!

“Truly one of the most creative and enjoyable pieces to come along for SSA voices in years, Warren Lee, Music Director of St. Paul's Co-educational College and Primary School, in Hong Kong, has brought Lucinda Jacob's charming poem to song. The music is artistic and inviting and the added features for balloon activity tops it off. Both classy and clever, young choirs everywhere will delight in this piece.” Allan Robert Petker

You can see Warren Lee’s children’s choir singing The Dream of the Plastic Bag here

See more details here