Once Upon A Rhyme

bright_side

Definitely a money making scheme, my daughters poem was in the book 14 years ago!! I'm amazed they're still getting away with it. Having said that I did buy the book because said daughter was very proud of herself :rotfl:

go_cat

Think this is somthing similar I read a while back - by all accounts a great money maker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/328177

julie2710

I just spotted this and have had the same thing. Unfortunately I have already ordered one copy of the book but I guess at least my son will be able to keep it for the future. Although he will be gutted when he sees all his friends in there too!

Like yoU say a bit annoying that this is just a money spinner and to be honest I might have a word with the school about entering this in the future!

welshdeedee

I will probably end up ordering one copy for the same reasons as said in previous posts.

I shall also be speaking to our School to see what information they have on the company concerned.

podperson

It does sound very much like it's a 'vanity' publishers - so basically they will publish most of the poems sent and then charge you for the book. While you might like to have a book with your child's poem in it then just be aware that these places are very much a business and they are out to make money rather then find budding writers.

pollypenny

I have mixed feeling about this company, Dee.

Years ago I would submit a selection of the best poems written by a class to the Cadbury Children's Art competition. Usually one would be published and a handful earn commendation certificates. That finished in the early 90s.

Then we started getting flyers from a company in Peterborough, the one you linked to.

I haven't found that it publishes all, but it's certainly much less discriminating.

Yes, it's a way to make money. On the other hand, it's good for pupils to see their work in print - it awards a sort of dignity.

I continued to use the competitions, with the proviso that pupils would see their work in the one free copy that was always sent to school.

thatgirlsam

Another one for 'rip off the parents' here

I told my DD i would not be buying the book but she could write out the poem again on a sheet of A4 which I would frame

welshdeedee

pollypenny wrote: »

I have mixed feeling about this company, Dee.

Years ago I would submit a selection of the best poems written by a class to the Cadbury Children's Art competition. Usually one would be published and a handful earn commendation certificates. That finished in the early 90s.

Then we started getting flyers from a company in Peterborough, the one you linked to.

I haven't found that it publishes all, but it's certainly much less discriminating.

Yes, it's a way to make money. On the other hand, it's good for pupils to see their work in print - it awards a sort of dignity.

I continued to use the competitions, with the proviso that pupils would see their work in the one free copy that was always sent to school.

Thanks Pol.

I'm sure I'll find out this week more details as to how many of her classmates have been chosen also. It will be very interesting to learn.

MarzipanFish

I have a 'young writers' book of poems with my poem in at home. My poem was terrible so they can't have been very selective
I think they do have book token prizes for the best ones but overall the majority of poems get published and the emphasis is on encouraging all children to write poems rather than finding or rewarding talented writers. It's apparently technically not quite a vanity publishers because they do weed out a few poems and people that don't buy the book still get their poems included.

I guess it's up to you if you think it's worth getting a copy. Personally I hate their guilt trip inducing marketing and attempts to mislead but I can see why parents buy into it to make their kids happy.

I think it would be ok if they were upfront about how many of the entries were published but instead they lead you to believe that you're in the best 5% or so of entries whereas in reality it's the best 80-90%.

ladymarmalade1970

My daughter had her poems published in one of these books and i DIDN'T buy it and i didn't feel guilty. It's a rip off. She has had the awards twice now.
I tend to use modelling as an analogy in that if you are any good you do not need to part with any money.
My daughter understood completely. I was really mad with the school as well to be honest because i bet there were a load of parents that either felt very guilty or genuinely couldn't afford it.