Barmy Ballads by Colin West (Troubador Publishing)

The mind of Colin West is a wondrous thing to contemplate. Most of what he says is nonsense but he says it so well you are quite willing to believe these characters and their ridiculous exploits actually exist. His latest book, Barmy Ballads, continues his rich vein of extended poems which will delight young readers looking to move on from short form verse. Topics include Sir Stinkalot (“Oh, how he hated suds and soap”). There’s A Princess called Pauline, a poem that manages to last three pages with only one rhyme! And reinforcing the insanity is Colin’s own illustrations which must be some of the finest in children’s poetry.
AB