Details

A Yorkshire born poet, artist, and illustrator, widely published in children’s poetry anthologies. First solo collection 'Where Zebras Go'Otter-Barry Books is currently shortlisted for the 2018 CLiPPA. A further collection Apes to Zebras an A to Z of Shape Poemes with poetry Ambassadors Roger Stevens and Liz Brownlee came out 2018. A second solo colection, 'If I Were Other Than Myself' is due out in spring 2019 with Troika Books.

Before becoming a poet she worked with children for over twenty years and has an Open First Class Honours Degree in Creative Writing, Literature and Supporting Teaching and Learning.

When not writing or drawing she loves to visit schools and has also have been commissioned to provide workshops for the Prince of Wales Foundation for Children and the Arts. She was also a guest judge in the 2017 Young Muslim Writers Awards.

Profoundly dyslexic she takes a special interest in encouraging reluctant readers and writers.

Reviews Sue Hardy Dawson’s debut collection is a celebration of the magic of language. Playful yet sensitive, it is sure to challenge, amuse and enchant its reader.

CLPE Award winner Rachel Rooney: https://www.clpe.org.uk/poetryline/poets/rooney-rachel

‘One of my favourite poets. A brilliant collection. Up there with the very best.’

Founder of the Poetry Zone Roger Stevens http://poetryzone.co.uk/roger-stevens/

‘Sue's poems are objects of heartfelt beauty and artistry, and her workshops are inspirational in encouraging students to access their creativity and imaginations.’

Award winning poet and Educator Joshua Seigal: http://www.joshuaseigal.co.uk/

Sue Hardy-Dawson's poems are lyrical and surprising - she builds new worlds with words. Whether funny or sad they never fail to be interesting as she uses language to engage and delight. She is also an experienced educator and workshop leader. What's not to like?

Poet, Educator and Fiction writer Jan Dean

http://www.jandean.co.uk/about_jan.html

‘Sue Hardy Dawson is the most poetic of poets - she uses a language rarely seen in children’s poetry today and intersperses this with such original ideas that she is fast becoming one of the freshest and most exciting voices on the scene.’

Poet, Musician and Poetry Postie Sally Crabtree

http://www.sallycrabtree.co.uk/poetry-postie/

List of Published Work

'Dramatic Pause' in 'I Bet I Can Make You Laugh' Bloomsbury chosen by Joshua Seigal due out August 2018

'Apes to Zebras' Bloomsbury 2018, Sue Hardy-Dawson, Roger Stevens, Liz Brownlee.

Solo collection 'Where Zebras Go' Otter-Barry Books 2017.

‘Moon Child’ in ‘A Poem for Every Night of the Year’, 2016, chosen by Allie Esiri, Macmillan.

‘Smile’ in: ‘Alice in Poetry’, 2016, chosen by Michaela Morgan, Macmillan.

‘Not a Poem’ in ‘Is This a Poem?’, 2016, chosen by Roger Stevens, Bloomsbury.

‘Let’s Celebrate’ in: ‘Poems about Festivals’, 2015, chosen by Brian Moses, Wayland Books.

‘where zebras go’ in: ‘Let in the Stars’, 2014, anthology for Manchester Writing for Children Prize, edited by Mandy Coe, Manchester University (Shortlisted for the CLPE).

‘The Kiss’, in A Time to Speak a Time to Listen’ Schofield & Sims chosen by Celia Warren, 2013.

'Spider Man' and 'The Tiger' in A First Poetry Book, Macmillan, Pie Corbet & Gaby Morgan, 2012.

‘Poem for Arbour Day’ in ‘Let’s Celebrate’ Bloomsbury chosen by Debjani Chatterjee, Shirin Adl, Brian D’Arcy, 2011,

‘Old Foxy’ in RSPB Wildlife Anthology A&C Black chosen by Celia Warren, 2011

‘Old Dog’ in Puppy Poems, Macmillan, chosen by Gaby Morgan, 2011

‘Aunty Ruby’ in A Million Brilliant Poems Pt one, A & C Black, chosen by Roger Stevens 2010

‘Talking Toads’, teaching Pack Larkin with Toads, Arts-link, 2010

‘School Holiday Blues’ and Poem about the injustice of having to stand outside in the rain at playtime’ in Read Me at School’ Macmillan, chosen by Gaby Morgan, 2009

‘The Tall Story’, Terrible Lizard’s, ‘Rumblies’, ‘The Frog Princess’ and ‘Big Zeds’, ‘in Shouting at the Ocean Hands Up Books, chosen by Graham Denton, Andrea Shavick and Roger Stevens 2009

'Elephant' and 'Mr and Mrs Peacock' in 'The Jumble Book' for dyslexia action, Macmillan, chosen by Roger Stevens, 2008

‘Planet for Sale’ in Let's Recycle Grandad, chosen by Roger Steven’s, A & C Black, July 2008

Two poems broadcast on CBBC 7 Children’s radio from Toothpaste Trouble

‘Grand Master Myster-ie in ‘The Secret Life of Pants’ chosen by Roger Stevens, A & C Black September 2006

The Creek’ in ‘Monster Poems’ chosen by Brian Moses, Macmillan, January 2005.

Extremely Elegant Elephants’ and ‘A Question of a Snake’ in ‘Masala’ chosen by Debjani Chatterjee, Macmillan, February 2005

‘The Argument’ in ‘Poems for My Best Friend’ chosen by Susie Gibbs, Oxford University Press, 2004.

‘Dressing’ and ‘It wasn’t me’ in ‘Toothpaste Trouble’ chosen by Nick Toczek, Macmillan, 2002.

The Grange Partnership is a childcare chain, based in the Harrogate area, offering out of school care for children aged 4-11 years old.

Sue attended one of our sessions during the recent school holidays to run a poetry workshop based around the theme of the seaside and linking with the recently held national poetry day.

She worked with a mixed age range of children, providing resources, including a cd, books, pastels and paints. The children produced art work, poetry and pictures many of which are now on display.

The children involved all enjoyed the experience. They were engaged with and intrigued by the subject matter. Sue presented them with ideas and suggestions in a way which interested all the children, across the whole age range. Sue was calm and organised, with age appropriate expectations of the children and encouraged co operation between the children with older ones helping the younger ones.

We would love Sue to come back for another session.

The Grange Partnership, Harrogate

Mrs Hardy-Dawson has worked at the above school for several years within the Learning Support Department, which I manage. During that time she has worked with many students and within general classes. Whilst working with a variety of subject teachers, she has also supported English classes from Year 7 (11-12 year olds) to year 11 (15-16 year olds).

She has also guided individual students and helped them to develop their work.

Mrs Hardy-Dawson has always shown a keen enthusiasm for the content of English lessons and she communicates that to the students. The fact that she is a published poet enhances the value of this particular aspect of the curriculum, because it makes poetry so much real, 'living', and accessible for them when they realise that they know and work with someone who has been successful. Moreover, she communicates her enthusiasm to colleagues and students alike, but not in a strident or egotistical way, but rather as someone who simply wishes to use words in poetry to express feelings and memories. Less able students also respond to this direct affirmation of poetry.

Mrs Hardy-Dawson is a conscientious, reliable member of the support department. She has willingly undertaken a range of duties and shown herself to have a good understanding of our students' needs, and an empathy with them. She is able to seek clarification of tasks but also to use her initiative and to work well within the team of twelve.

I have no hesitation in recommending her to you.

Head of Learning Support St John Fisher Catholic High School, Harrogate