Goldilocks on CCTV (review)

This collection by noted British poet Agard draws together nearly thirty poems that bring a contemporary slant to folkloric themes. Entries feature an updated Puss in Boots (“Puss-in-Trainers”), a bitter Rumpelstilskin (“What’s in a Name?”), and a Beast resisting transformation (“A Beast and a Beauty”), among others; verse style ranges from casually metered rap-style lyrics to quirkily patterned rhymes to crystal-line free verse, often relying on cheeky British slang. Success levels vary somewhat, but all of the poems are enjoyable and some are truly stellar. Readers will relish entries such as the lyrical “Wolf” (“Touch my legendary pelt/ and be lost in wonder./ Why would I want to put on/ sheep’s clothing?”), the raucous “Hag Chant” (“Who cares if your kind call us hags./ Our kind won’t grace your glossy mags”), and the poignant “Not My Uncle Bluebeard” (“It was all over the newspapers./ I thought there must be some mistake”). Additionally, recitation/performance opportunities abound in lively pieces such as “Did You Say Two Ugly Sisters?” and “Pumpkin Biker Cinderella.” The design varies throughout, with each spread mirroring the featured poem’s tone, and Kitamura’s monochromatic art is impressively versatile, featuring not only his familiar scrawled linework but also vivid silhouettes and fluidly patterned graphics. The visual and poetic style makes this inviting even to usually poetry-shy readers, and it would be a lively complement to Koertge’s recent Lies, Knives and Girls in Red Dresses (BCCB 9/12). A table of contents helps with finding particular entries.