Trevor Parsons (Hands Up Books)

It’s rare to find a poetry book which doesn’t include at least one weak poem, but Trevor Parsons’ debut manages to give us 60 quality poems. I really like this solo collection. Parsons is very good at punch lines, which usually bring an extra smile but sometimes bear a sting in the tail. This is a book that children will want to read more than once. The only criticism concerns the cover – I don’t think the framed grey-blue retro look will be attractive to children, despite the fine illustrations by Lucy Creed which continue throughout the book. But it might appeal to parents and grandparents, I suppose, who may well be the ones forking out the cash. I hope so because it would be a shame to judge this book by its cover and deny children the chance to enjoy this great collection.
TUC