A CUP OF STARSHINE: Poems and Pictures for Young Children

I'd like a cup of starshine please/mixed with milk and honey./And when it comes to soup/can I please/have some that's sunny?"" Tucked away near the end, this previously unpublished poem by Romesh Gunesekera sets the whimsically thoughtful tone for a collection put together by the 1990 Farjeon medalist. Farjeon herself appears three times; Bennett has an ear for her brand of light touch, deftly shaped verse, and delicate humor. The subjects progress informally Rom morning through a school day, making extended detours for animals, nonsense, and some lyrical verse from a childlike point of view before arriving at sundown and bedtime. The familiar is mixed with the unfamiliar, including three variations on ""Little Miss Muffet"" that seem to be by children and some South African entries. Percy's understated color-pencil illustrations are nicely in harmony with the poetry's tone of gentle amusement; unlike more pretentious art, his modest colors and quiet activity don't overwhelm the words. Unusually fresh and appealing. Index.