Young readers like poems. They like the short lines, they can get round the words, they can savour the meaning, they love the fun and games. Michael Rosen’s acute appreciation of this has produced poetry that children can immediately relate to and revel in.
In Uncle Billy Being Silly (Puffin pound;3.99), zanily illustrated by Korky Paul, w are treated to a collection of new poems and old favourites about family and friends. There’s nothing quite like having a smirk at the expense of relatives, and pupils will undoubtedly appreciate the ditties about siblings. “My Brother’s on the Floor Roaring” and “Invitation” display brotherly unreason in the very worst light.