Why Did My Brain Make Me Say It?

In this debut collection for children, Sarah takes the reader on a vibrant journey based on her acute observations of everyday life and language.

Loosely arranged across a school year, from September through Halloween, Christmas, Spring, Summer holidays and then the start of a new school year just before secondary school, Sarah's witty observations, juxtapositions and playful use of language pervade every poem and bring a vivid charm and freshness to each page.

This ‘Troika First’ collection heralds the emergence of a strikingly new and inventive voice in children's poetry.

REVIEWS

“A joyous, zingy feast of verse that plays assuredly with form while welcoming the reader. From hilarious lists (“Reasons my little sister cried this week”) to the understatedly moving (“Tadcu’s Lemons”), it will establish Ziman as a new favourite for poetry fans.” - Imogen Russell Williams, The Guardian

“This witty and captivating debut poetry collection showcases the work of an exciting new voice in children’s literature. The beautifully crafted poems offer insightful observations on everyday life and are sure to resonate with readers young and old.  The author has superbly combined clever wordplay with a range of forms, from haiku and acrostic to rhymes, riddles and shape poems, resulting in a fresh, entertaining collection which contains something for everyone. The writing is sharp, humorous and compassionate, and there are even a couple of poems written in Welsh.” - BookTrust.ork.uk

"[Ziman] is so good at capturing the essence of an event, or a feeling, in a few words (writing poems in other words!) that I was transported all over as I read her book from start to finish – in one go (‘couldn’t put it down’).” - The Poetry Zone

RESOURCES & EVENTS

Read Sarah’s blog: Sarah Ziman introduces her brilliant children's poetry debut 'Why Did My Brain Make Me Say It?'

Read a few poems from the book here