This is truly brilliant collection of poems for the modern era. There are all the traditional poems you would expect from the likes of Keats, Shakespeare. As you would expect from an anthology aimed at younger people you get The Highway man and all the other classics we read growing up, but these poems sit alongside newer, fresher poems exploring the ideas of heroes and villains in a new light. There are so many powerful female lead poems, as well as many from other cultures. As a proud Welsh woman, I was so happy to see a range of poems about Dewi Sant and Santes Dwynwen. Not only are the poems very accessible, but they are all accompanied by the wonderful and unique illustrations of the brilliant Chris Riddle. These truly help to bring the characters and their stories to light. I would say this book is a must for anyone who works with children and I hope every library gets themselves a copy. A truly wonderful collection of classics, traditional, modern and fresh. This is book that will be poured over for a long time.
Thank you so much to Netgalley annd the publishers for providing an arc in return for an honest review.

Following on from the brilliant poetry anthology Gods and Monsters, Ana Sampson has curated another wonderful selection of poems - Heroes and Villains.

Bringing a varied range of accessible poetry to older children and a YA readership is a challenge but this anthology is as great as the previous one. Categorised in a range of themes; Quests and Voyages; Cheats and Misfits; Heroes .. and many others, there is plenty to please everyone- some familiar poets and poetry and some less so.

As with the previous compendium, the illustrative talents (or should that be genius) of Chris Riddell bringing every poem to life showing the darker and mischievous side as well as powers and strengths of the various characters who are explored.

Ranging from historical figures- well- known and lesser so -to mythical characters and monsters and even Saints, the focus is broad but also perfectly compiled .

This is a book that can be enjoyed by young and old and one to be recommended to dip into for teachers of upper Ks2 and up to KS4 to broaden the palette of poetry.

Another winner

This was a stunning book, both in its contents and written word to the beautiful illustrations. Can we just appreciate how much work the legend of Chris Riddell would have had to put into this book to provide all of the gorgeous illustrations?! Each page was a feast for the eyes and they were a perfect accompaniment to the poems.

Also to appreciate the amount of research that has gone into compiling the poems as there was a great line up in here.

I really enjoyed this book on poems based around the many legends of legend. From the myths of King Arthur to the Loch Ness monster, heroes, villains, kings and queens. I also loved the little sentence round up at the end of a few of the poems about a certain historical event or character.

We have favourites from Shelley, Lord Tennyson (Lady of Shalott is a new favourite) and Edgar Allan Poe, to poems based off real historical events and those maybe not quite so true. That coupled with the illustrations made it a really enjoyable read and a great addition to have on your shelf!

I saw this on Netgalley and had to request it, as Chris Riddell is one of my favourite illustrators, and I love poetry about myths and legends.

As with any anthology, I enjoy some poems more than others, but all are very suitable to the genre and the illustrations are perfect.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC