Poetry Workshops and Performances for Ages 3-103
I’ve been a London-based comedy performance poet, author, educator, and entertainer since 1989, with an earlier background in communication, training and mentoring. I make language fun and accessible for the least engaged and streeeeeeeetch and challenge more creative and talented writers.
Through my poetry writing or poetry performance workshops, I develop literacy, confidence, self-expression, creativity, performance and presentation skills in 3-103-year-olds. I have worked in 100s of schools, countless libraries and appeared in West End comedy clubs for many years, including my own one, so confidently perform my interactive poems in assemblies, at events as well as in all my workshops. I’m also passionate about reading and books so encourage others to follow my example. You can book me for a face-to-face/in-person or virtual/online visit.
My company (of one!) is aptly called Confidence in Communication through Comedy Poetry Ltd, or CCCP Workshops for short. All workshops, sessions and events are run by me, Neal Zetter, and can be tailored to suit:
primary, secondary, special school and college students of all abilities including EAL, SEND, the highly creative, reluctant readers/writers, low confidence learners, those 'in transition', family learners etc
teachers (Insets)
libraries, archive services, museums
arts organisations
those in need e.g. drug, alcohol, mental health, brain injured patients, people with learning difficulties, homeless, elderly etc
pupil referral/behavioural units, offenders
other public, charity, voluntary sector organisations and private companies.
In fact any educational establishment or organisation committed to developing its students or staff and the way they communicate through the written or spoken word. Please view this site for more details and how to book.
New Book
The Shape of Rainbows is my latest and 12th book, and my first mixed-themed poetry book since 2016. Published by Otter-Barry Books, there is something for everyone here in KS1, KS2 and even KS3: Peanut Butter Nutter, Police Car, Two Mums, Living Next Door to a Viking, My Many Mes and The Day I Ate My School are just a few of the titles you'll find inside it. As always with my books, some of the fifty or so poems are laugh out loud and very suited to performance, while others are written to provide more thought and further reflection.
The Shape of Rainbows Reviews
An inventive, entertaining collection of poems for seven or 8+, woven through with wordplay and ideal for reading and performing aloud, especially in the classroom. Guardian newpaper
A book that zaps and claps its way through the world of words. Michael Rosen, poet, author, educator
Neal’s latest collection is one I would definitely add to my ‘go to’ books of poems. There’s a zippy zing to the poems herein – nearly fifty in all – and they simply cry out to be read aloud to, and by, primary children. Red Reading Hub, Jill R Bennett’s Review of Children’s Books
There really is something for everyone to be found in these pages. A must-have for every class and home bookcase! Through the Bookshelf
The Shape of Rainbows is packed with wealth of poems which are perfect for sharing and performing, savouring and contemplating. There really is something for everyone to be found in these pages. The Reading Zone
As ever, it is difficult to select my favourite poems from such an array of wide-ranging subjects by the very talented Neal Zetter that are brought to life by the very funny illustrations by Will Hughes. The Letterpress Project
And...
I’ve already written my next three poetry books - watch this space for publication details.
Latest Blog
‘Why Read?’ - read my newest blog and post your comments. Check out my earlier blogs on this site too.
YouTube Channel
You can now enjoy my videos of Ba nana nana nana nana nana nana nana nana nana nana nana nana nana (see below), Kids Love Ketchup and many more of my poems on my YouTube channel.
Interviews and Q&As
Follow the links to these interviews and Q&As with me:
Library Girl and Book Boy podcast performing three poems, talking lockdown and much more.
Rossendale Radio podcast performing poems live, picking favourite tunes and talking all things poetry.
Troika Books and Pen to Print Magazine on making a living from poetry.
The Letterpress Project on the Power of Poetry plus a Q&A on what books mean to me.
The Reading Realm on how I became a poet, my influences, school work and the joy of reading.
Latest Poems
Children: Vacuum, Underground, Brontosaurus in My Bed, Escape, Favourite Book, Sy-lla-ble, Bouncy Castle Birthday Party!, Fastly, How Long is a Poem?, My Flabber, Just Be You, Stop!, Don’t Jump, Break, Build Me a Planet, Sleepy Dog
Adults & Teens: Bull in a China Shop, Weeds, I Could Write…, Oxymorons, Friendship Formula, Tipping Point, Just Checking…, Talk, Carbon Footprint, Like a Metaphor, Blue Plaque, Fractions, Blood, Poetry is a State of Mind, Nice Day