BOOKS

Here are some of the books I have written - and some nice things people have said about them! Click on image to find out more and buy a copy.

See that tall, skinny kid with the ball in his hand

sayin see ya later to his mate?

That’s me:

Nathan Wilder

Nate.

10 years old

and a week away from the end of Year 5.

Life can be tough in your last year of primary school. Tests to take, preparing for the change to high school. Nate is ready for it all, knowing his best friend PS is at his side - they’ve been inseparable since Nursery.

But when they are put in two different classes and PS finds a new friend in Turner, the school bully, Nate's world turns upside-down. As he struggles to make sense of this and forge new friendships, he’s dealt another blow when his youngest brother, Dylan is rushed into hospital.

His new teacher, Mr Joshua, sees a spark inside of Nate that’s lit by his love of reading and writing and shows him how to use this to process what’s going on. But with so much working against him, and anger rising inside him, will this be enough?

A powerful and lyrical story about finding your place in the world and the people that matter within it.

"Well-written, authentic and very moving. And could really help to inspire children to write their own stories in their own voices.”

David Almond

"A beautiful story of friendship, family, grief, falling apart and putting yourself back together again.”

Manjeet Mann

"A beautiful verse novel... heart-wrenching and heart-warming and I loved it.”

Maz Evans

Perfectly reflecting the thoughts, feelings and imaginings of young people, these beautifully crafted poems are poignant, playful, heartfelt and hopeful.

From friendship, family and separation to school experiences and fitting in, this moving collection touches on the relatable aspects of growing up. It delicately balances emotion with light relief and humour, and is sure to captivate any young person aged 10 and above.

'Goodfellow has the knack for choosing all the right words' - The Guardian
'Matt Goodfellow is a poet whose works are ideal for children' - Express

Packed with brilliant poems that explore a whole range of themes from the downright silly to the sensitive, this prize-winning collection of poems from Matt Goodfellow will delight, enthuse and resonate with all children and adults.

Those who love poetry should snap up
Matt Goodfellow's rich and vivid new
collection, Bright Bursts of Colour,
illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff. -
Imogen Russell Williams, The Guardian

Matt Goodfellow's latest publication
is a much needed pallet of colour
and emotion. -Reading Zone

Dance through deserts and crawl through caves. Discover a sorcerer's wand or a slice of lunar lemon. Hide in the fur of an African goat, check for rain snakes and gobbling goblins - and look out for a chicken on the roof! This is a spellbinding collection from a poet whose high-energy performances delight children across the UK.

"This varied new collection shows shows a mastery of different
tones and styles."
Achuka Book of the Month

"Rhythm, rhyme, wordplay and whimsy make up this collection of poems about imagination and play and everyday life." -Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times

From National Poetry Day Ambassadors Liz Brownlee, Matt Goodfellow and Roger Stevens comes an incredible anthology of poetry identifying ways we can Be the Change.

These positive and upbeat poems will explore sustainability and the positive efforts being made to protect the planet and are perfect for starting conversations about looking after each other and our environment

Read about the Land of Blue, where it’s OK to feel sad, find ideas for what to do with worries or how to slow down when your head is full of hurry.

This important and unique anthology of 45 poems by three leading poets, well known for their empathy and perception, speaks to the heart of what children think and care about, offering understanding, support and encouragement.

With an endnote by leading clinical psychologist Karen Goodall.

The Same Inside is a sweet and thoughtful collection of poems about friendship, empathy and respect by three of the nation's best-loved poets, Liz Brownlee, Matt Goodfellow and Roger Stevens.

These fifty poems deal sensitively with feelings, empathy, respect, courtesy, bullying, disability and responsibility. They are the perfect springboard to start conversations

A brilliant collection of poems for 8-year-olds packed with poems about friends, space, pets, nature, magic, family, school, adventure, compiled by Matt Goodfellow and illustrated by Roxana de Rond.

Includes classic and contemporary poems by , A.F. Harrold, Matt Goodfellow, Charles Causley, Laura Mucha, Jan Dean, Kate Wakeling, James Carter, Roger Stevens, Brian Moses and many more.

Shu Lin is starting at a new school. She stands alone in the playground and at lunchtime she eats by herself from little boxes of brightly coloured food.

"What's up with her?" says Barney.

But when Shu Lin’s grandpa comes to school and shows the class his amazing Chinese paintings, everything changes….

With a stunning double-gatefold spread revealing a beautiful Chinese picture, this uplifting story shows the transformative power of art and imagination in developing cultural understanding and empathy.

A diverse and inclusive collection of original poems or younger children by a top performance poet.

Would you like to eat a caterpillar cake? Join a rocket race into space? See crazy crocodiles at the zany zoo or play with a furry, purry cat? Wherever these 16 fun-filled poems lead you, they will brighten your day.

This brilliant, read-aloud collection for young children has lots to join in with, and lots to explore through the brightly coloured illustrations.

Matt Goodfellow's debut collection, Carry Me Away, is a beautifully crafted set of poems that blend humour, intrigue and a love of the natural world. The poems will delight, amuse and challenge young readers between the ages of 7-12 but are there to be enjoyed by the whole family. Poems such as 'The Boy That Came From Under the Ground' are already critically acclaimed having been highly commended in international competitions. 'With the Waterfalls' and 'Another Place' feature in the 2015 CLiPPA shortlisted, 'Let in the Stars' anthology. As award-winning poet, Mandy Coe, says of Carry Me Away, 'Poems, yes - and seas, skies, laughter and music! This is a book to treasure. Matt Goodfellow's poetry shows how mystery and adventure can live between the shortest of line.' Celebrated poet and story-teller, Pie Corbett, states, 'Matt's writing is sensitive and powerful, transforming the world under the microscope of poetic language.'

A NOTE FROM MATT

I self-published this, my first collection of poems, in 2016 whilst I was still working full time as a primary school teacher - it's pretty difficult to get hold of nowadays - although your might have luck on some second-hand book websites - I'll post three poems, 'Crocodile', 'Polar Bear' and 'When I Swing' below as lots of teachers have been asking for them!