David H Rosen

Michael Rosen, born in 1946, is a distinguished English author, poet, academic, and activist. With a career spanning decades, he has authored over 200 books, primarily for children, and is celebrated for works like "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" and "Sad Book." Rosen holds a professorship in children's literature at Goldsmiths, University of London, and previously served as the Children's Laureate from 2007 to 2009. His writing often draws from personal experiences and uses accessible language, making him a significant figure in contemporary children's poetry. He has also been recognized with the 2023 PEN Pinter Prize for his "fearless" body of work.

Rosen's background includes a family with ties to socialist and Jewish organizations, and his parents were both involved in education and left-leaning politics. He pursued higher education at Oxford University after initially starting medical training, and his early career included work at the BBC, from which he was later asked to go freelance. His literary career gained momentum with poetry collections for children, and he has been instrumental in promoting poetry access through school visits and anthologies. Beyond his literary contributions, Rosen is a vocal critic of standardized education testing and has been politically active, notably endorsing Jeremy Corbyn's leadership campaign.

Born in 1946 into a Jewish family with ancestral roots in Eastern Europe, Michael Rosen's upbringing was influenced by his parents' engagement with progressive and socialist movements, including connections to The Workers Circle and the Jewish Labour Bund. His father, Harold Rosen, was an educationalist and professor of English, while his mother, Connie Rosen, worked in publishing and education, co-authoring a significant book on primary school language with his father. Both parents were active in the Young Communist League and participated in events like the Battle of Cable Street before leaving the Communist Party. Rosen attended various schools, including a period as an exchange student, and his intellectual development was shaped by figures like Jonathan Miller. He initially began medical training before shifting to study English at Oxford University. His early career involved broadcasting for the BBC, where he presented educational programs, though he later became a freelance writer, broadcaster, and lecturer.

Michael Rosen's extensive literary output includes over 200 books, primarily for children, establishing him as a prominent voice in children's literature. His first published book of poetry for children, "Mind Your Own Business," appeared in 1974, followed by numerous collections of humorous verse. He is credited with making poetry more accessible to children by using their everyday language and drawing on personal experiences. Rosen played a key role in promoting poetry through school visits across the UK and internationally. His picture book "We're Going on a Bear Hunt," illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, achieved significant success, winning awards and prompting a Guinness World Record event for its 25th anniversary. Rosen also explored themes of grief and loss in "Sad Book" and "Carrying the Elephant: A Memoir of Love and Loss," the latter prompted by the death of his son. He holds a PhD in Children's Literature and has taught the subject at university level.

Beyond his prolific writing, Michael Rosen has maintained a significant presence in broadcasting, notably as the presenter of the BBC Radio 4 program "Word of Mouth," which examines the English language. His academic career includes teaching children's literature at various universities, including the University of North London and Birkbeck, University of London, where he helped develop Master's programs. Since 2014, he has held a professorship in children's literature at Goldsmiths, University of London. Rosen's work has been recognized with numerous accolades, including an Exceptional Award for "Sad Book" and the prestigious 2023 PEN Pinter Prize for his overall body of work. He is also a patron of the Shakespeare Schools Festival, a charity supporting children's theatrical performances.

Michael Rosen has been an outspoken critic of standardized testing in English education, arguing that it negatively impacts the teaching of poetry and grammar. He believes educational policies should prioritize a more holistic approach to reading and language. Politically, Rosen has demonstrated a commitment to left-leaning causes. In 2015, he publicly supported Jeremy Corbyn's bid for leadership of the Labour Party, contributing to the anthology "Poets for Corbyn." He also signed an open letter criticizing media coverage of Corbyn's associations. His activism extends to speaking out against nationalism, xenophobia, and racism. In 2021, he published "Many Different Kinds of Love," documenting his experience with COVID-19 and hospitalization, reflecting on themes of life, death, and the National Health Service.

“Their view of 'educational' was narrow. The machine had decided this was the direction to take. Your own creativity was down the spout.”

“Wouldn't it be wonderful to know all about science, and know all about art, and be funny and urbane and all that?”

“I went to Middlesex Hospital Medical School, started on the first part of a medical training, jacked it in and went on to do a degree in English at Oxford University. I then worked for the BBC until they chucked me out and I have been a freelance writer, broadcaster, lecturer, performer ever since—that's to say since 1972. Most of my books have been for children, but that's not how I started out. Sometime around the age of twelve and thirteen I began to get a sense that I liked writing, liked trying out different kinds of writing, I tried writing satirical poems about people I knew.”

“fearless”