I adore poetry – when I was young I loved reading and reciting poems and the first time I ever appeared on the radio, it was to recite a poem called Marbles in My Pocket. I was about ten years old and it was on the ABC. When I started teaching my classes learned poems like Jabberwocky, The Owl and the Pussycat and many a Roald Dahl revolting rhyme or dirty beast! My favourite read aloud poem is still Dahl’s The Anteater. Clementine Rose loves poems too and I thought I’d share this one with you. It features in the back of Clementine Rose and the Famous Friend and was written by her favourite author, Agnes Wells (okay, maybe I wrote it and attributed it to Agnes Wells but it’s part of the story!). Perhaps you’d like to impress your family and friends (or your teacher) and challenge yourself to learn it off by heart with lots of expression and maybe even some actions to go with it. Enjoy!
The Book Bug
By Agnes Wells (aka Jacqueline Harvey)
One morning snuggled in my bed
A little bug appeared and said,
‘I see that you have learned a lot
Since you were just a tiny tot.
You crawled, then walked and now you run
It’s time for you to have more fun.
I have so many friends to share:
Three bears and a girl with curly hair;
A crazy fellow called McGee,
Who has a fight with biting fleas;
There’s Charlie making sweets galore;
Wild things on boats and so much more.’
‘Hurry up and take a look
Inside this lovely picture book.
You can travel far and wide,
If you pretend it’s you inside.
I know it really is bizarre,
How at your age you can drive a car,
Or fight a monster, or save a life,
You can get yourself in lots of strife.
And just as quick, you save the day
And make the bad things go away.
There are tales about most anything
To make you laugh and cry and sing.’
I told the bug that I’m too small
I won’t read books until I’m tall
He shook his head and frowned at me.
‘That’s just not true – you wait and see.
We’ll learn together from today
And next thing you’ll be on your way.’
I told the bug I’d try my best
In this love-of-reading quest.
I opened up a storybook
And crawled inside to take a look.
Suddenly I was right there,
Creeping down the little stairs.
There was a wolf outside the door,
He opened up his mouth to roar.
I scrambled up the chimney stack
Jumped off the roof and out the back,
Racing through a forest tall,
Such an adventure for one so small
The little bug climbed off my bed,
And with a smile he softly said,
‘I think my job here is now done,
I’ve opened up a world of fun.
I’m sure that it has been quite painless,
To ignore me would be simply brainless.
You’re hooked and now I’m on my way
To find another kid who’ll play.
You’ve been bitten, that’s for sure,
The book bug will be back for more.
Just remember what I said
There is so much yet to be read.’
The little bug went on his way
And now I’m reading every day
He’s right you know, I’m on the hook
There’s nothing better than a book!
Dear Jaqueline Harvey,
I absolutely love your poem. I like to write them too. I have written a few myself . Have you written any others? I would really like to read them!
Love Tara
Hi Tara,
I have written lots more poems over the years – perhaps I should have a few more poetry posts and share them. Maybe we could have a poetry competition as one of the monthly comps and I could post the winning poems – that sounds like an interesting idea I think!
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Yes!!!! please please please have a poetry completion. I ADORE poetry! I can’t wait for the next Alice-Miranda book! Keep writing them please! Also I HEART ALICE-MIRANDA!!!!
Hi Alice-Miranda Lover,
Thank you for your kind words and enthusiasm! The passion that some fans have is humbling and your ideas and the interest that you have in the stories is very much appreciated. I continue to enjoy the characters and the relationships and have many ideas swirling around in my head- I suspect that you will be reading about Alice-Miranda and her friends’ adventures for some time.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
That’s an amazing poem
Thanks Halle.
Dear Jacqueline,
I love Alice Miranda! When will you make the 18th one?
Love Lucy
Hi Lucy,
I have finished writing the draft for Alice-Miranda 18 and am about to start the editing process. It will be out in June. I’m also writing 19 and 20!
Thank you for loving my girl.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
When will you release the next clementine rose book
Hi Dwiti,
I am working on Clementine Rose and the Best News Yet at the moment. It will be out in December.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Dearest Jacqueline,
I LOVE this book, and this poem!!!!!!!!! It’s so enjoyable, cute, and fun to read!
I was just wondering, what is the poem above called? I have previously known it as ‘Bitten By The Bug,’ but now I’m confused, as here, it says that it is called ‘The Book Bug.’
Thank you so much for your time in reading this!!
From your fan,
Jess 😛
Hi Jess,
I think you’re right that it’s called Bitten By the Bug in the book – I messed that up didn’t I! I love it too. I actually wrote a similar poem years ago for an event I was doing then modified it for the Clemmie story – that’s probably why I confused myself too!
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Dearest Jaqueline,
I love the Clementine Rose Series. When will the 18th one be released?
Best Wishes, Isabella
Hi Isabella,
Clementine Rose goes up to number 15 and at the moment I’ve taken a break from writing anymore as I’ve got new projects I’m focusing on. I may come back to it at some stage but hopefully you’ll get to read my new series, Willa and Woof when it comes out next year. If you enjoy Clemmie then I think you’ll like this one very much. In the meantime perhaps you could try Alice- Miranda or Kensy and Max.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Dear Jaqueline,
I’ve already started the Alice-Miranda and I love it!