Brian Patten was born in Liverpool. His poetry for adults has been translated into many languages, and his collections include Collected Love Poems, Armada, and, from Penguin,Selected Poems. His verse for children includes Gargling with Jelly, Juggling with Gerbils, and Thawing Frozen Frogs. Brian Patten is a popular performer of his work, and he has also written children's plays as well as editing The Puffin Book of Modern Children's Verse and The Puffin Book of Utterly Brilliant Poetry.