Time spent reading this book will be time spent with old, familiar friends. There is a warmth, richness and humour about the poems of Banjo Paterson that has endeared them to generations of Australian- s. "The Man from Snowy River", "Mulga Bill's Bicycle" and "The Geebung Polo Club" are as well known to today's schoolchildren as they are to their parents and grandparents. The words of "Waltzing Matilda" have, of course, become recognised in every part of the world as Australia's "own" song.