High Tide

Robert Hull’s High Tide (Salt, 2010) is his third collection of poems for children. It follows Stargrazer (Hodder, 1997), which was short-listed for the Signal Poetry Prize in 1998, and Everest and Chips, (Oxford University Press, 2002), short-listed for the CLPE prize.

• AcknowledgementsSpaceBlack holeThe Maker saidBeginningsSnowMy coloured pensOur short but interesting Greek bus journeyHunting in FebruaryMr Frog,Deer’s skullShadowsFrost‘Please do not feed the animals ...’Starting School – Preston, 1912‘Scary doesn’t have an e, James.’English Rules – ’Don’t use “and” all the time’Slovenly student, 1345Recent history lessonPeace processPing FengFrogsCat sistersTableSorry, mouseThings with feathersSwallows in September‘Gift offer – Traditional Wishing Well – £47.50’Shopping at ChristmasThe Tale of Sir Toby the TimidHumpty, the true storyShiny cheery poemHigh tideSeaside SeptemberUseful phrases for when you’re on holiday ...Autumn FloodGnome at the Garden CentreEvening song

The best newcomer is Robert Hull whose collection Stargrazer (Hodder and Stoughton) is wonderfully various, both in theme and form. It dips and delves into Roman history, Provencal legend, describes how shadows seem under bridges, retells, with a humorous lightness, Galileo’s story. This is a poetry book to make children feel and think simultaneously. Hull never patronises children by pretending to be one himself – he’s too mindful of their uniqueness to behave so improperly