AN 11-year-old wordsmith is enjoying literary success with the publication of her first poetry anthology.

John Kyrle High School pupil Ruby Johnston says she was exposed to literature at a very early age by being read poems when she was a baby.

She said: “Before I could even talk, my parents read poetry to me, and I think this has influenced me greatly as a poet.

“When I started reading poetry for myself, I enjoyed Roald Dahl, Edward Lear and Walter De La Mare.

“My favourite poem is Silver by Walter De La Mare because I like the repetition and I can really visualise the scene.

“I also like Sea Fever by John Masefield as it has beautiful rhythm and flow.

“Poetry anthologies introduced me to more poets and many different styles of verse.

“From reading all kinds of poetry, I began to experiment with different forms for myself, such as haikus, narrative poems and free verse, which I found hardest to write as I was used to rhyming and found it hard to find a rhythm without it.”

Schoolgirl Ruby is currently studying epic poetry, which is new to her, in English lessons at her Ross-on-Wye school, which she “enjoys very much.”

On her new book, she adds: “It’s a collection of memories, snapshots, flashbacks to holidays, adventures and experiences.

“The poem The Book that Lost the Race was entered into BBC Radio 2’s 500 words competition in 2018.

“It’s a post-apocalyptic narrative poem about the destruction of the human race, but how nature thrives in a new world with no humans.

“Also,the poem Baby Boy was written shortly after meeting my new cousin for the first time.”

A poem for Mum and A poem for Dad were written for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, while the oldest part of the book is the last two lines of Mystified Dragons, which were written when Ruby was only seven, and were added to later.

“Other poems written when I was very young include Sleep, A whale of a time, The cold giraffe, Monsters and Unknown Creeper,” she said.

“After writing these, I found that I enjoyed writing poetry and so carried on.

“I write about many subjects, whenever I feel inspired.

“I was lucky to know someone who could help me to publish my book, Jack Challoner, who is a good friend of my family, and I am currently working on my next book.”