As Michael Rosen turns 80, the beloved children's author reflects on loss, survival, and the absurdity of life in a special Q&A with Guardian readers and fellow writers. Known for classics like We're Going on a Bear Hunt and his viral YouTube poems, Rosen answered questions on everything from grief to his favourite foods.
Asked by intensive care professor Hugh Montgomery how he sustains joy in the face of loss, Rosen replied: 'I've arrived at a point where I think life is absurd... the silly stuff's no different from the tragic stuff.' He credited Montgomery with saving his life during his Covid-19 ordeal.
Rosen admitted he constantly doubts himself: 'Every time I write, I doubt myself.' He revealed that his first poetry collection, Mind Your Own Business, was originally written for adults but published for children after being rejected by adult publishers.
On hope in turbulent times, Rosen cited Wilfred Owen's Dulce et Decorum Est, saying its final lines puncture the 'old Lie' of dying for one's country. 'The only thing that will stop this terrible stuff happening is people collectively preventing it,' he said.
For his perfect 80th birthday dinner, Rosen would invite Kafka, Langston Hughes, and Shakespeare. His favourite foods? Hummus and raisins. And the weirdest place he ever read a book? The Eiffel Tower, where he devoured J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls while his French hosts looked on bemused.
