Simon Mole
Simon Mole is an acclaimed children’s poet (and sleep deprived dad) who has shared stages with Michael Rosen, Kae Tempest and John Hegley. His first picture book Kites was published in 2019, followed by I Love My Bike in 2021 (Shortlisted for Sunday Times Children’s Sports Book of the Year) and I Love My Cat in 2022.
His latest book, A First Book of Dinosaurs, is a collection of non-fiction inspired poems about dinosaurs; full of beautiful colour illustrations by Matt Hunt, the book is a jacketed hardback treasury, containing over 30 poems. It was published by Walker Books in 2023.
Simon is a National Poetry Day Ambassador, with over fifteen years’ experience using rap and poetry in community and education settings, including projects with Great Ormond Street Hospital and Arsenal Football Club. He regularly visits primary schools across the UK and overseas for Apples & Snakes, The Poetry Society and Authors Abroad.
The tutorial videos at his YouTube channel are used by hundreds of thousands of children and teachers across the world each year, and have been featured on BBC Bitesize.
In partnership with National Literacy Trust, Simon created the Digital Poet in Residence project in 2019 – videos and lesson plans that became invaluable to many schools during lockdowns, and helped to build Simon an engaged following of teachers and parents.
Simon is a positive and inspirational artist whose work explores issues that are important to young people, in a way that is accessible to them. He is a seasoned performer who regularly tours the UK, including shows at Southbank Centre, Hay Literary Festival, V&A Museum, Roundhouse, Norwich Theatre Royal, Latitude Festival and many more!