In the Land of the Giants
Selected Children's Poems

This generous new selection of children's poems from one of the UK's foremost poets displays wit, humour, technical virtuosity and a hint of the absurd. Also included are a series of translations of children's poems from Hungary, including works by Sandor Weores and Zoltan Zelk.

George Szirtes' children's poems comprise riddles, mysteries and parables, strange encounters, cautionary tales, and meditations on just about everything under the sun - from the sea's hands to the wind's face. All Szirtes' technical virtuosity is on display, the music, rhyme and cadence fusing together with an Eastern European sensibility to provide a unique collection that will be treasured by all children and not a few adults. This generous new selection displays wit and warm good humour with a hint of the absurd. Also included are a series of translations of children's poems from Hungary including works by Sandor Weores and Zoltan Zelk.

Acknowledgements Four Superstitions 1. The Sneezing Week 2. Watch who you are winking at 3. Bad signs 4.
Runs till it drops Three Fires and a Flood Flame The Great Fire of London The Fire's Heart The Flood The Bee's Knees The Bee's Knees The Wasp's Waist The Serpent's Tail The Fish's Fingers The Bicycle's Wrists The Clouds' Hair The Wind's Face The Sea's Hands The Sun's Toes The Cold's Teeth The Refrigerator's Belly The Wall's Ears The Bedroom Chest The Clothes-hanger's Collarbone The Book's Spine The Window's Eyes The Butcher's Calves The Bottle's Neck The Cup's Lip The Ice Cream's Tongue The Cave's Mouth The Lake's Bottom Three Mysteries 1. The Lost Sock Mystery 2. The Mystery of the Ant 3. The Rainbow Mystery In the Land of the Giants Rock A Bye Beware Of The Bear! In The Land Of Giants At Gran's Fancy Dress Henry Brave Pianist Soulful Flautist Plumbing Service Egg Magic The Great Drongo Poet No, Love Visitor Miss String Miss String Ahem Old Couples Whoopsa Moonlife Moon Questions Space Comes Out at Night Apple Tree Mouse Dreaming Goldfish Animal Lore The Wreck of The Hope From the Hungarian Bird The Spring The Earth Ant A Poem about Two Seals Winter Trees Storks Snail The Bear's Dilemma Three Short Verses About the Wind Sleighbells Deep in the Wood the Violets Drowse My Dog Ace Happy New Year