Poems for Nine Year Olds and Under

Having seen Kit Wright work successfully with Merseyside schoolkids cynical about 'soft poetry', I'm biased in this collection's favour anyway. However, the combination of Wright's sensitivity in the choosing of material for a young audience, and Michael Foreman's brilliant illustrations, makes this a must for homes, schools and libraries everywhere. Enjoyment is the theme, as it must surely be with this age group, if the seeds of poetry experience are to be sown properly, and enjoyment there is in plenty. A talented list of contributors includes Spike Milligan, Roger McGough, Michael Rosen and the under-rated Tom Pickard.