Virginia Bower has been involved with different aspects of education all her life. Starting as a self-employed businesswoman, she moved into primary school teaching and leadership, before moving to higher education and teacher training. Her interests are in primary English, poetry and supporting children with English as an additional language.

• Introduction 1. The Power of Poetry 2. Poetry to Develop Speaking and Listening Skills 3. Using Poetry to Develop Decoding and Comprehension Skills 4. Promoting an Enjoyment of Writing Through Poetry 5. The Power of Poetry to Promote a Multicultural, Multilingual Approach 6. Using Poems in Science and Maths 7. Poems for Times and Spaces 8. Poetry in the Digital Age 9. Getting Creative with Poetry 10. Poetry for Physical and Mental Health and Wellbeing

"This text will make even the most reluctant 'poet' fall in love with poetry. Readers will be inspired by the "power of poetry to transform lives" and as a result will be motivated to explore teaching poetry not only in English lessons but across the curriculum, whilst enjoying doing so! This book will give you the confidence to be creative and likely create your own classroom poet's appreciation society!"Catherine Carden, Staff Tutor, The Open University"Bower writes with a gentle authority that nurtures confidence and inspiration in teachers who are keen to give poetry a place in the lives of their pupils. Bower’s mission in this exciting new book, is to reveal the truth, beauty and imagination that comes from poems. She does this well because of the combination of her own love of poetry and a thorough, practical knowledge of the realities of modern classroom life." Andrew Lambirth, Professor of Education (Literacy), Faculty of Education and Health, University of Greenwich