Hot Like Fire: questions to ask and activities to try
When de July sun hot like fire... Hot Like Fire collects Valerie Bloom's joyful poems in English and Jamaican patois.
What age is it for? Hot Like Fire is best for ages 6–10. Good for: Joyful poems mixing English and Jamaican patois.
Hot Like Fire (Valerie Bloom and Debbie Lush)
- Age
- 6-10
- Best for
- Joyful poems mixing English and Jamaican patois
Read the poems aloud and enjoy the rhythm. Talk about how people speak differently in different places.
What it helps with
- Poetry and rhythm
- Caribbean language and culture
- Reading aloud
- Different ways of speaking
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Which poem did you like?”
- “How did it sound?”
- “Which words were new?”
- “What’s patois?”
- “Which would you perform?”
- “How do people in your family speak?”
5-minute activities to try together
Poem performance
Perform a poem with rhythm and clapping.
Family words
Collect special words your family uses.
Free printables: Hot Like Fire worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
Free. We’ll only email you if you tick the box.
If your child liked this, try
Poems Aloud (Joseph Coelho and Daniel Gray-Barnett)
- Best for
- Poems made to be read out loud
- Age
- 5-8
Smile Out Loud (Joseph Coelho and Daniel Gray-Barnett)
- Best for
- Poems to read aloud for confidence and happiness
- Age
- 5-8
The Best Ever Book of Funny Poems (Brian Moses)
- Best for
- Giggle-worthy poems to read aloud
- Age
- 7-11
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.