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Poems to Save the World With
This absolutely beautiful gift book anthology contains classic and modern poems to galvanize, uplift and inspire you which are brought to life with exquisite, intricate artwork.
Chosen and illustrated by Chris Riddell, Poems to Save the World With –the follow-up to Poems to Live Your Life By and Poems to Fall in Love With - will ignite your inner activist and provide comfort and inspiration. These poems speak of hope, happiness, rebellion and living through a pandemic.
This beautiful book features famous poems, old and new, and a few surprises. Classic verses sit alongside the modern to create the ultimate collection. Includes poems from Neil Gaiman, Nikita Gill, Maggie Smith, Brian Bilston, Raymond Antrobus, Fiona Benson, Lewis Carroll and many more.
Chosen and illustrated by Chris Riddell, Poems to Save the World With –the follow-up to Poems to Live Your Life By and Poems to Fall in Love With - will ignite your inner activist and provide comfort and inspiration. These poems speak of hope, happiness, rebellion and living through a pandemic.
This beautiful book features famous poems, old and new, and a few surprises. Classic verses sit alongside the modern to create the ultimate collection. Includes poems from Neil Gaiman, Nikita Gill, Maggie Smith, Brian Bilston, Raymond Antrobus, Fiona Benson, Lewis Carroll and many more.
200 pages, Hardcover
Published September 17, 2020
24 people are currently reading
779 people want to read
About the author
Chris Riddell
375 books1,021 followersChris Riddell was born in Cape Town, South Africa, where his father was an Anglican priest and a member of the ANC. The family moved to England in 1963, when Riddell was one year old, and he spent his childhood in a number of different locations, as his father moved between parishes. Both of Riddell's parents continued to be active in the anti-apartheid movement.
Chris Riddell is an internationally acclaimed writer and illustrator whose many awards include the Nestlé Gold Award and two Kate Greenaway Medals—the most prestigious prize for illustration in the UK. He is the creator of more than one hundred books for all ages, including the immensely popular series the Edge Chronicles and his latest chapter book series, starring the irrepressible Ottoline Brown, which School Library Journal called "exceptional." Chris lives in Brighton, England, with his wife and three children where he invents his amazing characters in a very tidy shed in his yard.
Chris Riddell is an internationally acclaimed writer and illustrator whose many awards include the Nestlé Gold Award and two Kate Greenaway Medals—the most prestigious prize for illustration in the UK. He is the creator of more than one hundred books for all ages, including the immensely popular series the Edge Chronicles and his latest chapter book series, starring the irrepressible Ottoline Brown, which School Library Journal called "exceptional." Chris lives in Brighton, England, with his wife and three children where he invents his amazing characters in a very tidy shed in his yard.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
September 11, 2022
Another wonderful collection of poems, this time themed around "saving the world". And that can mean anything from doing one's civic duty to keep fellow citizens safe to important (sometimes political) speeches that changed the world.
The collection is divided into the following 6 chapters:
Happy Thoughts
With Only One Life
Everything Is Going to Be OK
Oh! I Have Slipped the Surly Bonds of Earth
The Elephant in the Room
Lockdown
And yes, the last chapter contains a number of modern-day poems about the Covid pandemic. But not just those. Because Lockdown can mean much more.
Anyway, every poem is either framed with or accompanied by one of Chris Riddell's wonderful illustrations of which you'll find examples for every chapter below:
While Invictus didn't have my favorite illustration of the book, it is one of my all-time favorite poems. Another one, which I was happy to also see in this book, is Rudyard Kipling's If.
Once again, and unsurprisingly to me, not every poem was to my liking. But poetry is like that. Nevertheless, it was a very nice collection, with a great mix of classic and modern poems that blended together rather well.
The collection is divided into the following 6 chapters:
Happy Thoughts
With Only One Life
Everything Is Going to Be OK
Oh! I Have Slipped the Surly Bonds of Earth
The Elephant in the Room
Lockdown
And yes, the last chapter contains a number of modern-day poems about the Covid pandemic. But not just those. Because Lockdown can mean much more.
Anyway, every poem is either framed with or accompanied by one of Chris Riddell's wonderful illustrations of which you'll find examples for every chapter below:
While Invictus didn't have my favorite illustration of the book, it is one of my all-time favorite poems. Another one, which I was happy to also see in this book, is Rudyard Kipling's If.
Once again, and unsurprisingly to me, not every poem was to my liking. But poetry is like that. Nevertheless, it was a very nice collection, with a great mix of classic and modern poems that blended together rather well.
February 9, 2024
The more poetry I read, the more I realize how much I have missed out on.
I have never before, not really, been drawn to poetry, but I find myself growing more curious with everything I read.
This collection of poems, selected and illustrated by Chris Riddell, was a gorgeous culmination of words strung together beautifully and carefully. There is no doubt in my mind that these poems were selected with love and care as they all carried an air of importance with them.
While I did not love this collection to the same extent as I did "Poems To Fall In Love With," this was no less a lovely read with breathtakingly beautiful illustrations that so perfectly translated the emotions of the poems.
I have never before, not really, been drawn to poetry, but I find myself growing more curious with everything I read.
This collection of poems, selected and illustrated by Chris Riddell, was a gorgeous culmination of words strung together beautifully and carefully. There is no doubt in my mind that these poems were selected with love and care as they all carried an air of importance with them.
While I did not love this collection to the same extent as I did "Poems To Fall In Love With," this was no less a lovely read with breathtakingly beautiful illustrations that so perfectly translated the emotions of the poems.
December 20, 2020
Very nice poems and lovely sketches.
Even some lockdown poems.
Even some lockdown poems.
September 12, 2020
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📗 Poetry is something I keep wanting to get into, but I'm intimidated by. This collection of old and modern poets alongside Chris's incredible illustrations is perfect someone like me, I loved that I recognised some of the older poets, including an incredible illustration of Emily Dickinson, while being introduced to modern voices.
📕 There's some subtle references to current events too, the illustrations of Greta Thunberg were amazing, and I'm pretty sure I saw Donald Trump later in the story too. Even The Walrus And The Carpenter makes an appearance, adding to my hope that one day I'll have a fully illustrated Alice In Wonderland edition.
📗 Poetry is something I keep wanting to get into, but I'm intimidated by. This collection of old and modern poets alongside Chris's incredible illustrations is perfect someone like me, I loved that I recognised some of the older poets, including an incredible illustration of Emily Dickinson, while being introduced to modern voices.
📕 There's some subtle references to current events too, the illustrations of Greta Thunberg were amazing, and I'm pretty sure I saw Donald Trump later in the story too. Even The Walrus And The Carpenter makes an appearance, adding to my hope that one day I'll have a fully illustrated Alice In Wonderland edition.
December 29, 2020
I loved this collection. Chris Riddell's illustrations are stunning; I'm a huge fan of his art style. A beautiful book of poetry, well worth the read.
April 16, 2023
"Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting -
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things."
- Wild Geese, Mary Oliver.
Another great collection of poems beautifully selected and illustrated by Chris Riddell. I have certainly found some new names whose works I want to dive into. Particular favourites include:
Wild Geese - Mary Oliver
Crow Baby - Luke Kennard
'Hope' is the Thing with Feathers - Emily Dickinson
This Is an Incitement - Chris Riddell
Remains: A song - A. F. Harrold
Good Bones - Maggie Smith
As with any collection of poems there are some that speak to you and some that don't but what it particularly interesting with these books is that, through the illustrations, you get a sense of how the poems spoke to the curator of the book as well. They can be taken it separately and are beautiful works in their own right, but when put together you may find yourself seeing the poem from a whole new perspective.
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting -
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things."
- Wild Geese, Mary Oliver.
Another great collection of poems beautifully selected and illustrated by Chris Riddell. I have certainly found some new names whose works I want to dive into. Particular favourites include:
Wild Geese - Mary Oliver
Crow Baby - Luke Kennard
'Hope' is the Thing with Feathers - Emily Dickinson
This Is an Incitement - Chris Riddell
Remains: A song - A. F. Harrold
Good Bones - Maggie Smith
As with any collection of poems there are some that speak to you and some that don't but what it particularly interesting with these books is that, through the illustrations, you get a sense of how the poems spoke to the curator of the book as well. They can be taken it separately and are beautiful works in their own right, but when put together you may find yourself seeing the poem from a whole new perspective.
April 4, 2024
3.5/5. A very sweet and simple collection of poems on life and lockdown. Contains a nice mix of the realistic and the hopeful. I imagine this would be a great read for those just getting into poetry. The illustrations were also a lovely touch. A pleasure to read 💕
January 30, 2022
Fantastic collection of poems, some real stunners in there. Always adore Chris' illustrations too
September 4, 2021
Me ha gustado mucho. Muchos poemas eran de autores famosos que hasta el momento no había leído, así que me ha servido de introducción. También he descubierto a otros muchos autores. Es una buena iniciación a la poesía para los que no tenemos costumbre de leerla.
January 5, 2022
This is the kind of book you need to buy two copies of. One for yourself and one to gift to a friend. I loved slowly working my way through the poems at night before I went to sleep. The illustrations made it feel like a bedtime story, like when I was a kid. I'm not sure if I can go back to reading poems without illustrations. And I loved the chosen poems, especially 'Troll Song' by A.F Harrold.
February 10, 2021
Poemas com histórias e mensagens bonitas mas... alguns não os percebi...
Riddell e as suas ilustrações maravilhosas dão cor ao que nos é contado.
Riddell e as suas ilustrações maravilhosas dão cor ao que nos é contado.
January 31, 2023
Why was the Gettysburg address in this?
March 13, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 stars
‘Hold with both hands
The tray of every day
And pass in turn
Along this counter.
There is enough sun
For everybody.
There is enough sky,
And there is moon enough.
The earth gives off the smell
Of luck, of happiness, of glory,
Which tickles
Temptingly.
your nostrils
So don't be miserly,
Live after your own heart.
The prices are derisory.
For instance, with only one life
You can acquire
The most beautiful woman,
Plus a biscuit.’
(With Only One Life ~
Marin Sorescu
Translated from the Romanian by
D. J. Enright with Iona Russell-Gebbett)’
I didn’t connect entirely with all the poetry in this collection, but what I did connect with, was the (as usual from Riddell) beautiful, detailed illustrations. completely gorgeous, I spent lots of time just absorbing them.
A lot of the poets/writers weren’t ones I was too familiar with, and some were favourites of mine, but I enjoyed this quite a bit. I also didn’t personally mind the poems set during/about the pandemic to much, but some people reading this book nowadays mightn’t (understandably) like those poems too much.
my favourite poems in the collection; (chronologically)
With Only One Life (Marin Sorescu), ‘Hope’ is the Thing with Feathers (Emily Dickinson), Wild Geese (Mary Oliver), The Mushroom Hunters (Neil Gaiman), Kindness (Nikita Gill), What You Need to Be Warm (Neil Gaiman), The Raincoat (Ada Limón), Explaining Memes to Keats (Nadia Lines), There is no Frigate like a Book (Emily Dickinson), from ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’ (William Shakespeare), This Is an Incitement (Chris Riddell), Lockdown (Chris Riddell), Love in the Time of Coronavirus (Nikita Gill), from ‘Endymion’ (John Keats).
🌎🌍.
‘Hold with both hands
The tray of every day
And pass in turn
Along this counter.
There is enough sun
For everybody.
There is enough sky,
And there is moon enough.
The earth gives off the smell
Of luck, of happiness, of glory,
Which tickles
Temptingly.
your nostrils
So don't be miserly,
Live after your own heart.
The prices are derisory.
For instance, with only one life
You can acquire
The most beautiful woman,
Plus a biscuit.’
(With Only One Life ~
Marin Sorescu
Translated from the Romanian by
D. J. Enright with Iona Russell-Gebbett)’
I didn’t connect entirely with all the poetry in this collection, but what I did connect with, was the (as usual from Riddell) beautiful, detailed illustrations. completely gorgeous, I spent lots of time just absorbing them.
A lot of the poets/writers weren’t ones I was too familiar with, and some were favourites of mine, but I enjoyed this quite a bit. I also didn’t personally mind the poems set during/about the pandemic to much, but some people reading this book nowadays mightn’t (understandably) like those poems too much.
my favourite poems in the collection; (chronologically)
With Only One Life (Marin Sorescu), ‘Hope’ is the Thing with Feathers (Emily Dickinson), Wild Geese (Mary Oliver), The Mushroom Hunters (Neil Gaiman), Kindness (Nikita Gill), What You Need to Be Warm (Neil Gaiman), The Raincoat (Ada Limón), Explaining Memes to Keats (Nadia Lines), There is no Frigate like a Book (Emily Dickinson), from ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’ (William Shakespeare), This Is an Incitement (Chris Riddell), Lockdown (Chris Riddell), Love in the Time of Coronavirus (Nikita Gill), from ‘Endymion’ (John Keats).
🌎🌍.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2021
I really thought this book would get me into poetry but it didn’t wow me as much as I expected
October 17, 2020
This isn't my first Chris Riddell poetry collection, so I knew what to expect.
I have to say I enjoyed this.
The illustrations are always a marvel and this copy surely didn't disappoint. The way they completed the poems is a bit magical.
The poems were a great mix of older poetry and modern poets, ranging in various subjects, including climate change and even the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was a beautiful collection and I can't wait to add it to my library so it can embellish it the way it did my life.
I have to say I enjoyed this.
The illustrations are always a marvel and this copy surely didn't disappoint. The way they completed the poems is a bit magical.
The poems were a great mix of older poetry and modern poets, ranging in various subjects, including climate change and even the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was a beautiful collection and I can't wait to add it to my library so it can embellish it the way it did my life.
May 16, 2021
Some of this I loved, some of this I found bizzare. I don't think the title fits with the collection, it felt like some of the poems were a bit random. But I loved the illustrations and I loved many of the poems.
October 28, 2020
Très doux. A lire sous un plaid avec du thé.
August 13, 2021
Content Warning
The most recent collection of poems chosen and illustrated by Chris Riddell, on the theme of saving the world. At a time when the world seems to need saving more than ever, this is a welcome anthology indeed.
We came to this series just as Poems To Save The World With was hitting the shelves, and yet, starting as we did with the earlier two titles, we were unprepared for the gut punch of a final chapter herein (entitled Lockdown), including Nikita Gill's Love in the Time of Coronavirus! The Pandemic being at the time of writing so variable on so short a timescale - and far from over - means you'll likely respond quite differently to these poems from one month to the next. Whilst there is comfort and hope to be found in their lines, be mindful it's still very raw.
Riddell's illustrations pertain not only to Covid, but also to Brexit (No Man Is an Island), Greta Thunberg's stand against climate change (Battle Call), Trump's term in office (The Second Coming), and the refugee crisis (What You Need to be Warm). This is not a comfortable collection, but it is powerful; motivating. I hope it lights a fire under every reader.
Favourites include:
Auguries of Innocence (extract) by William Blake
'Hope' is the Thing with Feathers by Emily Dickinson
The Mushroom Hunters by Neil Gaiman
Battle Call by Rachel Rooney
Kindness by Nikita Gill
What You Need to be Warm by Neil Gaiman
Leisure by WH Davies
The Walrus and the Carpenter by Lewis Carroll - for the sheer audacity!
Turvy-Topsy by Paul Stewart (but only when read aloud!)
Ozymandius by Percy Bysshe Shelley
This Is an Incitement by Chris Riddell (even though there is talk of "dragon slaying" - it's not a metaphor I approve of, but the sentiment is sound.)
Home - Thoughts from Abroad by Robert Browning
The most recent collection of poems chosen and illustrated by Chris Riddell, on the theme of saving the world. At a time when the world seems to need saving more than ever, this is a welcome anthology indeed.
We came to this series just as Poems To Save The World With was hitting the shelves, and yet, starting as we did with the earlier two titles, we were unprepared for the gut punch of a final chapter herein (entitled Lockdown), including Nikita Gill's Love in the Time of Coronavirus! The Pandemic being at the time of writing so variable on so short a timescale - and far from over - means you'll likely respond quite differently to these poems from one month to the next. Whilst there is comfort and hope to be found in their lines, be mindful it's still very raw.
Riddell's illustrations pertain not only to Covid, but also to Brexit (No Man Is an Island), Greta Thunberg's stand against climate change (Battle Call), Trump's term in office (The Second Coming), and the refugee crisis (What You Need to be Warm). This is not a comfortable collection, but it is powerful; motivating. I hope it lights a fire under every reader.
Favourites include:
Auguries of Innocence (extract) by William Blake
'Hope' is the Thing with Feathers by Emily Dickinson
The Mushroom Hunters by Neil Gaiman
Battle Call by Rachel Rooney
Kindness by Nikita Gill
What You Need to be Warm by Neil Gaiman
Leisure by WH Davies
The Walrus and the Carpenter by Lewis Carroll - for the sheer audacity!
Turvy-Topsy by Paul Stewart (but only when read aloud!)
Ozymandius by Percy Bysshe Shelley
This Is an Incitement by Chris Riddell (even though there is talk of "dragon slaying" - it's not a metaphor I approve of, but the sentiment is sound.)
Home - Thoughts from Abroad by Robert Browning
June 22, 2022
You have the right to be here. The ending line to one of the poems in this collection that both spans the entire range of human emotion, and offers it all with kindness and a gentle touch. This is a magnificent collection of poetry and well worth adding to the collection of any teacher. This book holds a fine range of poetry- from classics of Ozymandias to modern poetry on the plight of migrants. a brilliant collection and wonderfully illustrated.
March 8, 2022
Some of these I loved. Some I just couldn't follow. Some of them may have made people stop and think but not sure the title of 'save the world' is appropriate. I struggle to get to grips with poetry at times and sadly felt this for some of these. Beautifully illustrated though and was please to read a couple of poems I did love.
January 6, 2021
Having discovered 'Poems to Fall in Love With' last year, I was so happy to track down a copy of this! Chris Riddell is without a doubt my favourite illustrator, and it was a delight finding new poems to fall in love with, and inspire me to try and change the world for the better!
February 20, 2021
Precioso. 😭 Tanto los poemas como las ilustraciones. Hay una mezcla de poemas de hace siglos con poemas de autores jóvenes de hoy. Algunos poemas los conocía de antes pero otros no. Me gustó mucho la selección, temas universales que siguen siendo relevantes hoy. Lo recomiendo mucho. 🥰
December 26, 2021
I've never been good at poetry, but like to give it a go with nice anthologies like this. I grabbed it off the shelf when I first saw it. Somehow it still sat neglected on the bedside table for most of the year. I want to buy the other two volumes in this series.
May 22, 2025
Junior non-fiction compilation with illustrations. Art style is beautiful and compliments the poetry, so it makes it fitting for a younger person that is maybe getting into poetry. Something I might recommend for ages 8-13. In that context 5 stars (for me personally 3)
November 9, 2020
I wasn't quite so keen on some of the selections, especially a couple that I wouldn't really class as poems, but the illustrations were beautiful as always and very evocative.
November 15, 2020
The third in a (so far) series of three. It is just as beautiful with uplifting poems to soothe this wretched year.
December 27, 2020
Lovely mix of illustrated poems, from classic and beautiful to modern and quirky.
January 6, 2021
Great poems for now with beautiful drawing.
Overall well curated and beautiful read
Overall well curated and beautiful read
January 13, 2021
Another great poetry collection! I always really like how Chris Riddell picks both classic and modern poems. And this was book was no exception. Really cool to see a section about the corona pandemic as well!
January 15, 2021
A gorgeous book full of well chosen and beautifully illustrated poems. Definitely a comfort in a time of uncertainty. Some poems that were new to me alongside some old favourites.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews