THERE were extra-terrestrial visitors at Wallingford Library when children’s poet James Carter launched his latest work.

Mr Carter, who lives in the town with his wife Sarah and daughters Lauren, 15, and Madeleine, 12, read extracts from his new book I’m a Little Alien, at the event on Friday.

He said the collection of poems, published by Frances Lincoln, was inspired by his own young daughter’s sense of wonder and adventure.

The 54-year-old, who has lived in Wallingford since 2005, said: “This is a book for very young children.

“It is that age when everything is interesting, from a feather to a shell or a cloud.

“It is very hard writing from that point of view.”

I’m a Little Alien was written as a sister title to his previous book, Hey Little Bug.

Mr Carter added: “That was borne out of my own daughters growing up, showing me a bug or a caterpillar.

“This book is me still trying to write with that voice, that sense of wonder, seeing things afresh.”

The title poem, I’m a Little Alien, is one of several “shape poems” in the book, written in the shape of its subject – in this case, a little alien.

The book is available now for £6.99 from franceslincoln.com

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