
Written by me…
In the shadow of grand monuments and towering flags,
Where leaders speak in thunderous tones and fiery rage,
The small whispers of children are drowned in the clamour,
Their delicate dreams, crushed beneath armoured boots.
When war drums beat and trumpets blare,
It is the lullabies that fall silent,
The laughter of innocence, extinguished,
Replaced by the wailing of mothers and the haunting cries of the lost.
Fields that once held play and imagination,
Now scarred, barren, laden with sorrow,
Little feet that danced to the rhythm of life,
Now tread cautiously, avoiding remnants of hate.
It is said, nations rise and empires fall,
But what of the children who never asked for walls?
Who dreamt only of skies and stars,
Of love and play, not of scars.
The people, we yearn for peace, for unity’s embrace,
Yet it is our young, our hope, who pay the steep price,
In a world where power overshadows the tender,
Where might trumps right, and the innocent are rendered voiceless.
When history is written, and tales are told,
May we remember not just the brave and the bold,
But the silent stories of those too young to understand,
Why peace was stolen from their land.
It’s not the book that you should be afraid of, it’s the people who ban it.
Get reading…
Many books have been banned or challenged throughout history and across different cultures for various reasons. It’s important to note that what’s banned in one country or period might be freely read in another. Here’s a list of some famously banned books and the reasons for their bans: I have read most of them..And am not scarred at all!!!
This list only scratches the surface, as many more books have faced bans or challenges for reasons ranging from religious and moral objections to political concerns. In many instances, these bans only served to increase interest and readership of the forbidden books.
Educate yourself….

In Autumn’s tender, golden grasp,
The world slows its hurried pace,
Leaves fall in a lover’s clasp,
Adorning Earth in embroidered lace.
Whispers of the chilling breeze,
Dance amidst the fading light,
The forest canopy slowly frees,
Its colours, bold and bright.
Crimson, amber, and sunlit gold,
Blanket the paths we once knew,
Stories of the year retold,
In every hue and shade they drew.
The sun slants low, a softer beam,
Kissing fields of ripened grain,
And in this mellow, gentle gleam,
The world finds peace again.
Orchards heavy with fruit so sweet,
Pumpkins grinning in the fields,
The scent of harvest is complete,
As nature her bounty yields.
Gone are summer’s fervent days,
As Autumn’s cool embrace ensues,
A time of change, in myriad ways,
Before winter’s deep, cold hues.
In this season, we introspect,
Watching days grow short and nights long,
In the beauty of Autumn, we connect,
With a world that sings a transient song.
For in the heart of this fleeting fall,
Lies the essence of time and tide,
A reminder that after all,
Life’s moments are a cherished ride.

By Julie Hodgson in Childrens fun books
24 pages, published 9/10/2023
By Julie Hodgson in Childrens fun books
24 pages, published 8/16/2023

Once whispered words take flight, do beware,
Upon the winds of gossip, secrets bare.
In the marketplace, under the tree,
Tales travel far, as far and free.
With eager ears and lips untamed,
A reputation can be stained.
Like wildfire, it can quickly spread,
Feeding on the rumours fed.
Innocent whispers turn to roars,
Escaping through the unlocked doors.
And in its wake, the damage done,
A trust broken; a friendship gone.
How dangerous the idle chatter,
Reputations to tatter.
From ear to ear, the stories weave,
Truth is lost, we misperceive.
A spark ignited by a word,
Once was clear, now is blurred.
In this game, we all are pawns,
Dawn to dusk, dusk to dawn.
Beware the perils, mind your speech,
For words are far more than just each.
They carry power, they bear weight,
Can mend or mar a person’s fate.
The gift of speech, so precious, rare,
Handle it with utmost care.
Think before the words take flight,
Foster truth, bring forth the light.
So, shun the path where gossip lies,
In silent wisdom, true strength lies.
Let kindness be your spoken song,
In a world where words can right or wrong.

In a garden filled with laughter and cheer,
Lived Sunny the Sunflower, who had an idea so clear.
She looked at the sky, both the sun and the rain,
And knew that the planet needed us, again and again!
With a leafy green smile and petals so bright,
Sunny decided to set things just right.
She called on her friends, from the garden they came,
Each wanting to join in this climate care game.
Benny the Bee buzzed, “I’ll plant flowers with you!”
Freddy the Frog croaked, “I’ll save water too!”
Wendy the Worm wiggled, “I’ll compost the waste!”
Together they decided to act with great haste.
They started to garden, using water with care,
Planting more trees and cleaning the air.
They recycled and reused, with joy in their hearts,
Knowing each small effort was a wonderful start.
Sunny told stories of ice and of snow,
Of polar bear friends who had nowhere to go.
Of forests and jungles and oceans so deep,
Their care for the planet was a promise to keep.
Little by little, they all did their part,
Showing young readers where they too could start.
A bottle, a can, a bicycle ride,
There’s so much to do, with your friends by your side!
In the garden they danced, in a world so divine,
Knowing that caring was a sign of the time.
So, let’s be like Sunny and all of her friends,
Take care of our Earth, on that we depend!
Remember to water, to plant, and to grow,
Love the Earth and let your care show.
From the smallest of seeds to the tallest of trees,
Every little helps, as easy as a breeze!
With a hug and a smile, they ended their day,
Knowing they’d made a difference in a wonderful way.
So, children, take note from this garden so dear,
Climate care’s fun, have no doubt, have no fear!
Join Sunny and friends in the garden of life,
Treat Earth with love and reduce all strife.
For our planet is precious, a gem to behold,
Its story’s most beautiful, its future untold.