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  • I Opened A Book
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I Opened A Book

Julia Donaldson

I opened a book and in I strode
Now nobody can find me.
I’ve left my chair, my house, my road,
My town and my world behind me.

I’m wearing the cloak, I’ve slipped on the ring,
I’ve swallowed the magic potion.
I’ve fought with a dragon, dined with a king
And dived in a bottomless ocean.

I opened a book and made some friends.
I shared their tears and laughter
And followed their road with its bumps and bends
To the happily ever after.

I finished my book and out I came.
The cloak can no longer hide me.
My chair and my house are just the same,
But I have a book inside me.


Julia Donaldson

From Crazy Mayonnaisy Mum, first published 2004 by Macmillan Children’s Books, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers International Limited. Text copyright © Julia Donaldson 2004

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adventure empathy freedom National Poetry Day 2017 reading suitable for children

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Julia Donaldsonb.1948

Julia Donaldson was the UK Children’s Laureate from 2011 to 2013. She is the author of picture books, fiction for young adults and over twenty plays for children. With illustrator Axel Scheffler, she created the hugely popular Gruffalo series.
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