'Creativity through Poetry' : Philippa Pearce lecture sparks new Homerton College Library exhibition

Inspired by the 2024 Philippa Pearce Lecture held on 11th April, the exhibition explores lecturer Joseph Coelho’s prizewinning place within the history of children’s poetry and his fervent call for the use of poetry within the classroom to encourage all children to be storytellers.

Items on display in the library include first editions of works by A.A. Milne and Lear, vividly illustrated editions of works by Stevenson, Hildegarde Hoyt Swift and Angelou  alongside contemporary borrowable works from Homerton’s special collection of children’s literature. All are welcome to visit the exhibition and you can find further details about the exhibition on X (formerly Twitter) and a visual tour on Instagram.  

A “Poet-tree”, inspired by Joseph’s poem, “Library”: “It is a library, but also, it is alive, it breathes, it is a wood, it is a forest.” branches out across the library. Featuring extracts of Joseph’s poetry, paper poem blossoms are available for visitors to explore and be inspired. It encourages all of us to  “… fill the world with blossoms. / How could you not?”

With special thanks for the professional guidance from Svetlana Paterson (Homerton Archivist) and the Philippa Pearce Committee.

Date: 8th April 2024 – 3rd June 2024

The Homerton College Library team