Mustard, Custard, Grumble Belly and Gravy

“You Can’t Catch Me” and “You Can’t Put Mustard in the Custard” were first published twenty-five years ago and were groundbreaking in that they were full-colour illustrated new poems for children. “You Can’t Catch Me” won the Signal Poetry Award in 1982. Both books went on to be bestsellers and both poet and artist are stellar names in the world of children’s books. The book includes an introduction by Michael Rosen and an audio CD of the book, with all the poems also read by Michael. Michael’s brilliantly conversational poetry is fantastically matched by Quentin Blake’s loopy yet perfectly detailed art. It is a partnership that Bloomsbury is proud to be making newly available.