A CUP OF STARSHINE

``I'd like a cup of starshine please/mixed with milk and honey./And when it comes to soup/can I please/have some that's sunny?'' Tucked away near the end, this previously unpublished poem by Romesh Gunesekera sets the whimsically thoughtful tone for a collection put together by the 1990 Farjeon medalist. Farjeon herself appears three times; Bennett has an ear for her brand of light touch, deftly shaped verse, and delicate humor. The subjects progress informally from morning through a school day, making extended detours for animals, nonsense, and some lyrical verse from a childlike point of view before arriving at sundown and bedtime. The familiar is mixed with the unfamiliar, including three variations on ``Little Miss Muffet'' that seem to be by children and some South African entries. Percy's understated color-pencil illustrations are nicely in harmony with the poetry's tone of gentle amusement; unlike more pretentious art, his modest colors and quiet activity don't overwhelm the words. Unusually fresh and appealing. Index. (Poetry. 4-8)