Off to School

Blundell's wacky illustrations might give the impression that this picture book format poetry collection with a school theme is wholly light-hearted. However, the two dozen poems, which feature beginnings, endings and times in between, have a variety of moods. There are thoughtful poems such as Errol Lloyd's 'The Late Worm' and Benjamin Zephaniah's 'Confessions of a Runner' - his picture of a teacher 'stuck in red tape' is powerfully pertinent. I particularly like the idea of not reducing everything to the wholly rational in Eileen Round's 'Science is Magic'. Then there are the hopeful voices of Wendy Cope's 'Word-Watching' and the artist of Ad?le Geras' 'Katy's Picture'. I am sure many readers will empathise with Helen Dunmore's portrayal of the lone child waiting to be collected and growing increasingly fearful when 'All the voices have gone'. Almost exclusively new poems these, there should be something to appeal to most listeners or readers from around six.