The Everyman Book of Nonsense Verse

Anthologies should be like good friends- reliable, excellent company and always there when you need them. Specialist anthologies like this one have the added fascination of making you think about the subject. We all know that nonsense verse includes the brillig and slithey tove stuff and this collection obliges with all the usual suspects, but challenges your (or at least my) view of how far nonsense extends with some gloriously unexpected inclusions. Anthology editors cannot win; either they are accused of putting in too much of the obvious, or not enough. This collection seems to find the balance to perfection. The book makes the perfect Christmas present for everyone from rather crusty aged uncles to distantly related tribes of children whose names you can hardly remember. Very well designed and produced, erudite (thus reflecting your own impeccable taste) and always acceptable. It also has the tremendous merit of looking as if it cost rather more than you paid for it. If it was not for the fact that some of my relatives still talk to one another they would all get one! And while you are at it get one for yourself, no matter how many good friends you have you can always find room for one more