Chris Riddell, the 2015-2017 UK Children's Laureate, is an accomplished artist and the political cartoonist for the Observer. He has enjoyed great acclaim for his books for children. His books have won a number of major prizes, including the 2001, 2004 and 2016 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medals. Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse won the Costa Children's Book Award in 2013. His previous work for Macmillan includes the bestselling Ottoline books, The Emperor of Absurdia, and, with Paul Stewart, Muddle Earth and the Scavenger series. Chris lives in Brighton with his family.

"This collection of poems and songs also comes with beautiful illustrations – so is a great coffee table book. Pick it up anytime for something through-provoking and feel good. If you tend to find poetry a little heavy, this is a great choice as the art helps to make things a little more accessible"

• Section - 1: Musings Section - 2: Youth Section - 3: Family Section - 4: Love Section - 5: Imaginings Section - 6: Nature Section - 6: War Section - 7: Endings