Dear Storytellers
Even though I’ve scoured the pages
of storybooks throughout the ages,
it seems impossible to find
a true depiction of my kind.
It’s left me feeling quite dismayed
about the way I’ve been portrayed:
sneaky lurker in the woods,
terrorising girls with hoods,
big and bad and feared by Peter,
huffing puffing granny-eater.
I don’t deserve this reputation,
the worst kind of discrimination.
For though I may look fierce and hairy,
I promise you, I’m not that scary.
So, when you next pick up a pen,
I urge you, writers, think again.
I’ve simply been misunderstood.
Please, for once, can’t I be good?
Yours hopefully,
of storybooks throughout the ages,
it seems impossible to find
a true depiction of my kind.
It’s left me feeling quite dismayed
about the way I’ve been portrayed:
sneaky lurker in the woods,
terrorising girls with hoods,
big and bad and feared by Peter,
huffing puffing granny-eater.
I don’t deserve this reputation,
the worst kind of discrimination.
For though I may look fierce and hairy,
I promise you, I’m not that scary.
So, when you next pick up a pen,
I urge you, writers, think again.
I’ve simply been misunderstood.
Please, for once, can’t I be good?
Yours hopefully,
This poem is copyright (©) Paula Thompson 2026
About the Writer
Paula Thompson
Paula is a children’s writer and former newspaper journalist from Hampshire with an MA distinction in Writing for Children. She is a winner of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Undiscovered Voices competition and longlisted as one of London Library’s Emerging Writers 2024/25. Paula’s poetry and fiction for children has featured in various publications in the UK and overseas. She is very excited to be taking flight on The Dirigible Balloon!
