This event is a discussion between Russian children’s poet Marina Boroditskaya and Michael Rosen, about children’s poetry and the different ways it has been used by governments and politicians to advance political ambition or to be instrumental in educational policy.

Marina will comment on the long history of Soviet children’s poetry, from Chukovsky onwards (Chukovsky’s ‘Crocodile’ is one of Russia’s best-loved long children’s poems and it was banned for most of Chukovsky’s life). Michael Rosen will talk about government policy on education and reading in this country. We’ll also hear how the two poets would like to see poetry read in the classroom and home.

The event is the London launch of MPT which features a section on children’s poetry from around the world and an interview in print between Marina and Michael. It will be chaired by MPT editor Sasha Dugdale.

For more information and to book your place