Rhyme and Reason by John Charlesworth is a delightful collection of highly personal anecdotes and poetry about key moments in his life. His poems are linked by entertaining tales about his rich and colourful life that help to show the inspiration for his verse and give a wonderful insight into his life and thoughts. It warmly and compassionately describes his teenage years, holidays, meeting his first love, marriage, illness, bereavement, remarriage, children and grandchildren, and the highs and lows of family life. The anecdotes are at times comical and at others deeply sad and are complemented by his poems. Throughout, Charlesworth's likeable and warm personality shine through in this engaging book and there is no mistaking his Yorkshire roots, which shine through. His poems cover such varied topics as teenage life, beloved pet dogs, landmarks, love, marriage, the weather and even gnomes! There are even a few nonsense rhymes to please the children.