Acton Teacher Publishes New Children's Poetry Book
Mark Bird's latest work is about a robotic kangaroo
Mark Bird
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July 11, 2024
Local children’s author Mark Bird has published his second book ‘Klangaroo’.
Mark, who is originally from Uttoxeter in Staffordshire, has lived on Stuart Road in Acton for 13 years and is a teacher at Barlby Primary School in North Kensington.
There was something of a local inspiration for the rhyming book. Mark says, “I was reading about how Acton used to be the antipodean centre for London. Weeks later, I woke up in the middle of the night with an idea for a story about a robotic kangaroo, built to save two orphaned joeys in the zoo. The next morning, I came up with the name, 'The Klangaroo.' Maybe the inspiration was subliminal or maybe some old Acton Aussie ghost visited my dreams on his way back from The Redback”
He adds, “I love writing stories in rhyme and wanted to write something that speaks to young children on the theme of being happy for who you are, regardless of 'faults' and idiosyncrasies. Saying that, I didn't want the story to be preachy or moralistic; children are harsh critics and the most important thing was to write a story they would love first and foremost. I love adding surreal aspects to my stories and two of my favourite review headings so far are : "Klanging banging bonkersness a-BOUNDS!" and ‘A cross between Dr Seuss and Dr Frankenstein’.”
Mark told us previously that his love of writing began when he was aged eleven. He would be inspired after watching a good film. As the end credits rolled, he'd dart to his room and write far-fetched adventures about himself and his friends. Mark discovered poetry when he found an old tatty book of poems by A.A. Milne.
Mark’s poems and teaching ideas can be found on his website: and Klangaroo is available in paperback on Amazon for £7.99 as well as an audio book version narrated by Chris White.
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