A Children's Treasury of Milligan. Classic Stories and Poems - Spike Milligan

A few years ago, my son's class of five and six-year-olds was asked to go home and with the help of a parent, write down a few lines from a favourite poem, which would be read out to the rest of the class the following day. Unfortunately, the teacher was none too impressed with my son's choice, nor I suspect, with me for condoning it, but what she hadn't realised was that I'd had the devil of a job talking him out of his original suggestion. Here's what he settled for: "I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats aloft o'er dale and hills, When all at once I came upon My dog being sick on the ... more

"Mummy, why this daddy lion got glasses on?" "'Why is this lion wearing glasses.' What lion?" "Yes, that's what I said! [Eyes roll heavenward] This one." "Ooh, Spike Milligan! Shall we read it then?" "Yay! Yes! But why that daddy lion got glasses on?" Do you know what the Gofongo is? Or why his visits to the vet are so frequent? ("He has toes that whistle tunes, And explode! Like toy balloons"). Do you know what the Wiggle Woggle is? Or what he said? ("When I'm standing on my head, I can see the coast of China, And it's very, very, red.") Do you know the difference between the African and the ... more

I am 47 and a friend of mine has just bought me a copy of the book called A Children’s Treasury of Milligan by Spike Milligan and I couldn’t be more thrilled! Let me explain further …. When I was a lot younger I had a paperback book called Silly Verse for Kids by Spike Milligan and I really enjoyed reading it. However, I had lent it to someone and it had never been returned. As I couldn’t remember to whom I had lent it, it was lost forever. I happened to be relating this story one day when I was visiting my goddaughter; Rosie aged 8, who loves books. The next time that I visited lo and behold ... more

Spike Milligan has always been one of my favourite writers/illustrators. His carefree style and love of the ridiculous and random is inspiring, and makes his work enjoyable for adults as well as children. Milligan died in 2002 from liver disease, but lived an interesting life, one that undoubtedly influenced his writing for all ages. I've grown up reading this treasury, and I can honestly say I haven't gotten tired of it! The book starts with a short introduction written by Milligan in 1999, and if this does anything, it highlights his sense of humour - something that remains consistent ... more

I grew up as an avid fan of Spike Milligan thanks to my English father who lived for the Goon Show etc. I bought this book on a whim and have since decided to shop impulsively more often! What a beautiful book it is. It is hard to decided which is better - the illustrations or the stories and poems. I should point out that the book does infact contain Spike's own illustrations. He has such a vivid imagination that the most ridiculous stories seem real and believable to the reader. I have a sneaking suspicion that although this is a childrens book it was really being aimed at parents although ... more