Funny, thought-provoking and bursting with curiosity, Wise Up! Wise Down! is a lively conversation between two internationally renowned poets, illustrated by treasured artist Satoshi Kitamura. Shortlisted for the 2025 CLiPPA - the CLPE Poetry Award, the UK's leading award for published poetry for children.

How can laughter be more powerful than a sword? Why do days have names but not weeks? And do pigeons ever get a craving for cake? Two friends, internationally acclaimed poets John Agard and JonArno Lawson, take us on an inspiring, hilarious and wondrous journey through poetry, asking questions and attempting answers as they discover that life really is a forever and ever adventure.

Praise for Wise Up! Wise Down!

"Fun and unique and filled with laugh out loud black and white illustrations by Satoshi Kitamura, this is a poetry book like no other." Mini Travellers

“Curious minds will love the poems… Poetry at its most creative and versatile is what readers will discover in this most wonderous journey through words, ideas and pictures ~ on the page and in the mind.” Armadillo Magazine

"A fun collection of poetry." Left on the Shelf

"Three awesome creative people from children’s literature have collaborated on what is sure to become a favourite poetry book for many readers ... A terrific book." Red Reading Hub

Prizes

Short-listed for CLPE Poetry Award 2025 (UK)

a funny and sometimes thought-provoking conversation in poetry […] Satoshi Kitamura adds his thoughts in the form of black-and-white illustrations with much humour. * The School Librarian *
Curious minds will love the poems… Poetry at its most creative and versatile is what readers will discover in this most wonderous journey through words, ideas and pictures ~ on the page and in the mind. * Armadillo Magazine *
A fun collection of poetry aimed at a middle grade audience. * Left on the Shelf *
Three awesome creative people from children’s literature have collaborated on what is sure to become a favourite poetry book for many readers. * Red Reading Hub *
Three awesome creative people from children’s literature have collaborated on what is sure to become a favourite poetry book for many readers. * Red Reading Hub *

John Agard is a poet, performer, and anthologist. He was born in Guyana and came to Britain in 1977. He has won many prizes, including the Smarties Book Prize and the Queen’s Gold Medal and in 2021 was awarded the prestigious BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award for an outstanding contribution to children's literature. John is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and his work appears in an AQA anthology for GCSE English Literature. He is the author of the Carnegie-longlisted My Name Is Book and John Agard's Windrush Child.

JonArno Lawson is an award-winning poet and writer who is the author of many books for children and adults, including Over the Shop, illustrated by Qin Leng and Footpath Flowers, illustrated by Sydney Smith. He has won the Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Children's Poetry four times and has also won the Governor General's Award for Illustrated Children's Books. He has taught children's poetry at Simmons College and lives in Toronto, Canada, with his family.

Currently living in Japan, Satoshi Kitamura has created over 20 of his own picture books, as well as having illustrated many by prominent authors such as Hiawyn Oram, John Agard, and Colin McNaughton. His books have been translated into multiple languages, and he has won awards including the Mother Goose Award, Silver Award for the Smarties Prize, and the National Art Library Illustrations Award.