I haven't read this book since I was about 7 years old and decided to recite it at our school's recitation competition. As such, my 5 star rating is entirely based on the fact that this collection of poetry was my absolute favourite thing in the world when I was a child. I even preferred it to runner beans, which I used to eat by the trough. I may not have been the most normal of children.

If I were to reread this book now, coming at it from the angle of an adult with an English degree and a greater knowledge of TS Eliot, I'm sure I'd knock at least a star off. Until such a time, however, I'm sticking my feet into the ground and giving it the 5 star rating that my 7 year old self would undoubtedly eagerly bestow upon it. I want to believe.