The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

Leap into the Library

I leapt into the library and what do you think I saw?
Three pigs thwarting a wheezing wolf thumping at their door.

Then wizards, towers, magic wands, postal service owls,
a boarding school, a lightning scar and evil wizard scowls.

I leapt into the library and what do you think I found?
A lolly house, some kids, a witch, and breadcrumbs on the ground.

Next, a tatty-hatted bear from deepest, dark Peru.
A suitcase full of marmalade and duffle-coat of blue.

I leapt into the library and what do you think was there?
Domestic bears, some porridge bowls, a girl with golden hair.

And through a wardrobe full of coats, a land of snow and ice.
One brave lion, fauns and beavers, noble fighting mice.

Next time you see a library
leap in there –
but beware!
Who knows what dangers, magic, thrills, and dreams await you there?

About the Writer


Heather Haylock

Heather lives in Aotearoa New Zealand and is trained as a geographer. She writes picture books as well as fiction and non-fiction for education publishers. Heather's been experimenting with poetry and loves the way that poetry condenses a thought into words. She also likes how it can portray an idea (compared to the traditional story arc of other forms of story). Heather loves the sounds of words and seeing the fabric that forms when she stitches them together.