The Poolbeg Book of Children's Verse edited by Sean McMahon (Poolbeg, £3.99)

It is hard enough to "sell" poetry even to adults, and in, these days of television, videos and electronic amusements of all, mind numbing, kinds, Poolbeg is to be congratulated for bringing out this nicely produced, inexpensive collection. The old favourites are here, from "Simple Simon" through Rudyard Kipling's "If", to Anon's "Dahn the Plug'ole" (`A Muvver was barfin' 'er biby one night . . .), but Sean McMahon also provides plenty of strong meat, such as "Kubla Khan" and Austin Clarke's "The Planter's Daughter", along with healthy helpings of Shakespeare, Keats and John Clare. A great present for a thoughtful child.