Letter: Poems children like

Sir: We have been conducting a search to discover Northamptonshire's Favourite Poem. The nominations by adults are overwhelmingly the works of dead poets, whereas children have voted for living writers. As Ruth Padel points out ("Too educated, too busy and too hip for poetry", 7 October), it is a mystery why contemporary poetry is not more popular with more adults - children seem to recognise its value and relevance to their lives (and would like Granny to be a Sumo Wrestler, as in Gareth Owen's poem).

MADELEINE HEANEY

Literature Development Officer

Libraries and Information Service

Northamptonshire County Council