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Out Of This World: A brand new collection of poems to make you laugh, smile and think, from the former Children’s Laureate
A brand new collection of poetry by former Children's Laureate Michael Rosen, author of We're Going on a Bear Hunt, with illustrations by acclaimed artist Ed Vere.
What would it be like to live in the future? Or underwater? What would you do if you could go back in time? Or be a cat? Or a blood cell? What would happen if a monster ate every letter of the alphabet?
In this extraordinary collection of brand new poems, beloved writer and former Children's Laureate Michael Rosen will make you laugh, make you smile, make you think, and take you out of this world.
Beautifully illustrated throughout by acclaimed artist Ed Vere, this is a book to treasure and share – a perfect introduction to poetry for readers of all ages.
What would it be like to live in the future? Or underwater? What would you do if you could go back in time? Or be a cat? Or a blood cell? What would happen if a monster ate every letter of the alphabet?
In this extraordinary collection of brand new poems, beloved writer and former Children's Laureate Michael Rosen will make you laugh, make you smile, make you think, and take you out of this world.
Beautifully illustrated throughout by acclaimed artist Ed Vere, this is a book to treasure and share – a perfect introduction to poetry for readers of all ages.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2024
About the author
Michael Rosen
589 books569 followersMichael Rosen, a recent British Children’s Laureate, has written many acclaimed books for children, including WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, and I’M NUMBER ONE and THIS IS OUR HOUSE, both illustrated by Bob Graham. Michael Rosen lives in London.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 11, 2025
Always love Michael Rosen, especially the last poem.
January 10, 2025
Reflections and lessons learned/the content of this book made me feel…
Mirthy!
Mirthy!
August 6, 2025
A Whimsical Wonder That Lifts Off the Page
Michael Rosen’s Out Of This World is a radiant celebration of poetry’s power to tickle the funny bone, stir the heart, and ignite the imagination. True to its title, this collection feels like a joyful voyage through the stratosphere of human experience—playful, poignant, and profoundly perceptive.
Rosen, ever the maestro of mischief and meaning, crafts verses that speak directly to children while resonating deeply with adults. His language is deceptively simple, yet brimming with clever turns, rhythmic delight, and emotional nuance. Whether he’s riffing on the absurdities of everyday life or gently probing life’s more mysterious corners, each poem lands with clarity and charm.
The collection is a kaleidoscope of moods—some poems are laugh-out-loud funny, others quietly contemplative. Rosen’s gift lies in his ability to shift tone without losing coherence; the silliness never feels shallow, and the serious moments never feel heavy-handed. It’s a masterclass in balance, inviting readers to think and feel without ever preaching.
Ideal for classroom reading, bedtime giggles, or solo reflection, Out Of This World is more than a book—it’s a companion. It reminds us that poetry isn’t just for analysing; it’s for living, laughing, and wondering. Rosen’s voice, familiar and beloved, continues to be a guiding star in children’s literature, and this collection is yet another gleaming gem in his constellation.
❤️✨️🚀
Michael Rosen’s Out Of This World is a radiant celebration of poetry’s power to tickle the funny bone, stir the heart, and ignite the imagination. True to its title, this collection feels like a joyful voyage through the stratosphere of human experience—playful, poignant, and profoundly perceptive.
Rosen, ever the maestro of mischief and meaning, crafts verses that speak directly to children while resonating deeply with adults. His language is deceptively simple, yet brimming with clever turns, rhythmic delight, and emotional nuance. Whether he’s riffing on the absurdities of everyday life or gently probing life’s more mysterious corners, each poem lands with clarity and charm.
The collection is a kaleidoscope of moods—some poems are laugh-out-loud funny, others quietly contemplative. Rosen’s gift lies in his ability to shift tone without losing coherence; the silliness never feels shallow, and the serious moments never feel heavy-handed. It’s a masterclass in balance, inviting readers to think and feel without ever preaching.
Ideal for classroom reading, bedtime giggles, or solo reflection, Out Of This World is more than a book—it’s a companion. It reminds us that poetry isn’t just for analysing; it’s for living, laughing, and wondering. Rosen’s voice, familiar and beloved, continues to be a guiding star in children’s literature, and this collection is yet another gleaming gem in his constellation.
❤️✨️🚀
March 15, 2026
Michael Rosen's Sad Book has a special place in my heart and home library. Although the cover promises laughs and smiles, there are melancholy shadows in most of these memoir-like poems. In one, he is recalling that he cannot recall the time he was hit by a car as a child.
From "Out of this world" [the family is camping]
I thought of / moths thinking in the dark / for thousands of years / Moth-thoughts gathering in the woods / moth-thoughts loving the shadows.
From "Disaster Daydreaming" [all too familiar catastrophizing]
Disaster daydreams / are dreams of disasters. / Sometimes they pop up / on their own. / Sometimes they flow into each / other / like water flowing from one pond / into another pond.
You can live in daydreams. / The world of daydreams. / The world of dreams of disasters. / Disaster daydreaming.
From "Out of this world" [the family is camping]
I thought of / moths thinking in the dark / for thousands of years / Moth-thoughts gathering in the woods / moth-thoughts loving the shadows.
From "Disaster Daydreaming" [all too familiar catastrophizing]
Disaster daydreams / are dreams of disasters. / Sometimes they pop up / on their own. / Sometimes they flow into each / other / like water flowing from one pond / into another pond.
You can live in daydreams. / The world of daydreams. / The world of dreams of disasters. / Disaster daydreaming.
September 7, 2025
Out of this world - Michael Rosen
This is a great book for young readers, Michael Rosen is brilliant at telling a great story, with lots of detail in very few words.
My favourites were:
‘A day in the life of a cat’ - I think this short poem just about sums up my own two cats. One of the two especially, always thinking of his tummy (Teddy). 🐈⬛ 🐈⬛
‘Letters’ - AHH sibling rivalry? lol this one was funny and reminded me a bit of my brothers, sisters and I growing up and trying to outdo each other.
Loved it, NICE! lol anyone that knows knows. lol Funny man, need more of his books and I have them lined up! 😂
This is a great book for young readers, Michael Rosen is brilliant at telling a great story, with lots of detail in very few words.
My favourites were:
‘A day in the life of a cat’ - I think this short poem just about sums up my own two cats. One of the two especially, always thinking of his tummy (Teddy). 🐈⬛ 🐈⬛
‘Letters’ - AHH sibling rivalry? lol this one was funny and reminded me a bit of my brothers, sisters and I growing up and trying to outdo each other.
Loved it, NICE! lol anyone that knows knows. lol Funny man, need more of his books and I have them lined up! 😂
September 8, 2024
Absolutely brilliant - it arrived two hours ago and I just had to read right through, laughing to myself on and off, and commenting to our cat. Favourite poem: 'A Day in the Life of a Cat,' but I loved them all. Fluent, guileless and thought-provoking. Highly recommend for confident primary school readers, or for parents, or for oldies like me.
July 16, 2025
A mixed bag. Some really good ones, and some really boring ones. For instance the cat one? I almost fell asleep there and wondered how long it would still go on. And that is a problem a lot of these had. I thought these would be short poems but instead most of them just went on and on and on and on.
June 27, 2025
Some silliness but also perspective- which is what I really like about junior fiction ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2026
Book 7 of my 2026 Goodreads Challenge
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews