Poetry, particularly in the form of nursery rhymes, is crucial to children’s language development. As a relatively new mum, I have found myself in the throes of learning to recite once more: suddenly I know a whole litany of poems again; albeit a jumbled mass of mostly first stanzas (who really knows all the verses of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star?!) and I have others where I have combined the ‘real’ lines with a few of my own (my personal bedtime version of Lavender’s Blue is very nearly accurate, or at least, I have learned my own version perfectly).

Have these poems been easier for me to learn because they have actions, or is it because I have a greater sense of purpose to the learning (the all important entertainment of my toddler)? I have found myself reuniting with many a childhood character recently: grand old dukes; sleeping bunnies; teddy bears and mice to name a few.

Why then, if we love rhymes so freely as young children, do we tend to lose this appreciation as we get older? We continue to learn and sing favourite songs but, I fear, don’t often choose to curl up with a book of poetry. Prose and stories win our selection: their meanings and characters are often easier to decipher, but poems are different: each reader gives their own nuances to them and actually, I would argue, this makes them ultimately more exciting and accessible.

Something I love about poems is their ability to tell an entire story in a foreshortened piece. The Once Upon a Poem collection is brilliant and includes some of my favourite narrative poems, written by various authors. Each is championed with an introduction by a famous storyteller. In just a few pages it is possible to be swept away on Noah’s Ark (which has set sail without a unicorn because of the lazy nature of one of Noah’s sons, Ham); to fall in love with a highwayman by moonlight, as Bess the Landlord’s daughter does, and laugh out loud at naughty Goldilocks’ mischief. Each poem is accompanied by beautiful illustrations; it’s an eye-catching, exciting read for children, that’s for sure.

In the introduction to his collection of poems entitled Now We Are Six, A. A. Milne exclaims that reciting poems is something we never do (he is nearly right: I draw your attention once again to my recent return to nursery rhymes), however, for me his poems cry out to be read aloud: Binker is my personal favourite. The secret of his own – an imaginary friend whose constancy is ultimately important when parents are busy – surely bears resemblance to many children’s own toys and imaginary characters who come to life? Coupled with E. H. Shepard’s well known illustrations, this classic collection, accompanied with When We Were Very Young is a delightful and amusing read to be shared (aloud please).

Carol Ann Duffy, our current Poet Laureate, is one of my favourite poets and her New and Collected Poems for Children is a real feast. The first in the collection calls the words of poems ‘fishing-nets, stars and spells’ and her words cast all sorts of magic. Dip in and out at your leisure and you’ll meet a variety of characters: people and animals alike and be reassured by her portrayal of emotions, no matter your age. As for me? I hope I am as inspirational to some as her Teacher who has chalk dust that sparkles.