Postponed - Parkes Lecture 2022 Event

How Should we Write about the Holocaust for Young Readers?

Michael Rosen looks at how writers and publishers try to describe the Holocaust for children and young adult readers. He asks first, should we even try? If we decide that we can, should it be in a manner which spares no details? Or are there forms of words and plotlines that 'soften the blow' on the assumption that the matter should wait till young people are older?

Michael Rosen has written three books for young people about the fate of his father's uncles, aunts and cousin and has carried out many workshops in schools in preparation for Holocaust Memorial Day ceremonies.

The President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark E. Smith, of Southampton University will chair this event.

About Michael Rosen 

Michael Rosen is one of Britain’s best loved writers and performance poets for children and adults.  His first degree was from Wadham College, Oxford and he went on to study for an MA and a PhD.  He is currently Professor of Children’s Literature at Goldsmiths, University of London where he co-devised and teaches an MA in Children’s Literature.  

Michael is also a popular broadcaster and has presented BBC Radio 4’s acclaimed programme about language, “Word of Mouth” since 1998, as well as regularly presenting documentary programmes for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 3, including the Sony Gold Award-winning “On Saying Goodbye”.  

Michael has published in the region of 200 books for children and adults, including “The Sad Book” with Quentin Blake (Walker Books) - a meditation on bereavement written after the loss of his son, Eddie;  “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” with Helen Oxenbury  (Walker Books) - made into an animated film for Channel 4 broadcast Christmas Day 2016 -  and “A Great Big Cuddle” with Chris Riddell (Walker Books) .  His poetry for adults includes “Don’t Mention the Children” (Smokestack) and “Selected Poems” (Penguin).  Non-fiction work for adults includes “Good Ideas: How to Be Your Child’s (and Your Own) Best Teacher” (John Murray),  “The Disappearance of Emile Zola, Love, Literature and the Dreyfus Case” (Faber), and his memoir “So They Call You Pisher!” (Verso).  

He has written a book for children and teachers on writing poetry ‘What is Poetry?’ (Walker Books) and has done three booklets for teachers on writing and reading. These are available through his website www.michaelrosen.co.uk. He writes up a monthly news page on the website and a blog for teachers giving ideas for writing.

His YouTube Channel ‘Kids’ Poems and Stories with Michael Rosen’ has had over 55 million views.