Meet the author

James Carter.

Writer · United Kingdom

James Carter: much-loved children's poet whose 'Once Upon a...' books, including Once Upon a Raindrop, marry musical verse with real science for spellbinding read-alouds.

James Carter is a well-known British children's poet, non-fiction writer and performer who came to writing after years as a musician before training as a primary teacher and taking an MA in children's literature. He is best known for his 'Once Upon a...' series, which marries poetry with real science: Once Upon a Raindrop, illustrated by Nomoco, carries young readers through the water cycle in flowing, musical verse, while companion titles cover stars, atoms and rhythm. A Poetry Archive poet, Carter tours schools and festivals across the country with lively poetry-and-music performances, and his work is a staple of primary-school poetry teaching. He writes about real things with a playful, rhythmic spin, making him an ideal bridge between story time and the science lesson. A dependable pick for read-aloud sessions and for children who love language that sings.