Natalie Merchant: a quiet triumph

So you're a teacher and need to forget an Ofsted visit to your school, however favourable the inspectors' eventual verdict. Pete Sixsmith found solace in a memorable Natalie Merchant concert at the Sage on the banks of the Tyne (May 25) ...

My knowledge of children’s poetry is a wee bit limited. Charles Causley, Ian McMillan, Roald Dahl and a handful of others appear on my radar. After buying and playing Natalie Merchant’s wonderful In Your Sleep, I was aware of a few more.