They gave me a book with a dragon on the cover.
I said ‘Do I have scales? Find me another.’
They gave me a book with a palace on the cover
I said ‘I’m not putting on a crown. Find me another.’
They gave me a book with a pony on the cover
I said ‘I’m allergic to horses. Find me another.’
The books kept on coming one after another
Not one of them had an interesting cover.
Until my teacher said just take a look,
I think I’ve found your perfect book
I’d heard that before, so I rolled my eyes
But then I got a massive surprise,
‘Cos right there on the cover I could see
A kid who looked exactly like me.
I opened it up, and blow me down
The kid on the cover had stolen a crown,
That belonged to a dragon with eyes of flame,
Then escaped on a stallion that no one could tame!
It was so exciting I kept turning the pages
And read and read for ages and ages
That book was the first in a series of four
I’ve read every one and I’m dying for more
But while I wait for the author to finish another
I might read a book with something else on the cover.
– Nicola Davies, Children’s Laureate Wales 2025-2027