In the summer of 1967, Tony Richardson of Penguin Books took a chance. Then Penguin's poetry editor, Richardson devoted the tenth volume of the highly prestigious "Penguin Modern Poets" series to three unknown writers from Liverpool: Adrian Henri, Roger McGough, and Brian Patten. Little did anyone anticipate that the book produced, "The Mersey Sound, "would become one of the best-selling poetry anthologies of all time. "A Gallery to Play To" is an intimate account of the lives and careers of the three poets featured in that 1967 volume--and with unparalleled access to the lives of Henri, McGough, and Patten, the author has produced an indispensable volume for anyone interested in British poetry, popular culture, and literary society over the last forty years. Originally published in 1999, this revised edition includes new interviews with Patten and McGough, as well as a fully updated text and introduction.

Cuckoo Rock overlooks Magical Valley, the potato caves and Cuckootown. It is the most wondrous, magical place. It is where the Singing Nettles are heard by the Yaffling Tree, where the band Jasper, Jade and Jet play at Sparkling Pond and where The Cuckoo Man comes to meet Ivy from Ivybridge, Cool Julie Dooley plus Bobby Bangle and Billy Bling. It is a place where they all gather to dance and sing. It is also the place where Zenna the Mermaid and the mysterious Dream Gatherer watch the hilarious Splatfish and amazing electric fish light up the glimmering aqua-marine water. But darkness is on the horizon. Demonica, the evil Queen of the Demons wants to stop all the fun. Demonica - with her vicious cat Woof, her three threatening ghosts and the gloomy giant Ogre Rock - all cast a menacing shadow over the whole of the valley. And they have plans to make things worse. What can be done to keep the valley good and not let it all go bad?