John Agard and Grace Nichols (Walker Books)

A collection of classic nonsense poems from around the world which illustrates that humour knows no territorial boundaries. It may vary from country to country, but it’s accessible to all of us no matter where it originates. The book quotes Sampurna Chatterji: “To me, nonsense is a game we play in which humour and insight, imagination and anarchy bounce in amazing (and amazingly rigorous) patterns on the trampoline of language!” Well, absolutely. That exactly describes the importance of this anthology compiled by poetic couple John Agard and Grace Nichols. A grumpkin? Possibly an Icelandic fruit – possibly the fruit of an Icelandic poet’s imagination! TUC