Poetry pleaser – CLiPPA children's poetry award shortlist

The Children’s CLiPPA – CLPE Poetry Award – shortlist has now been announced, and with a judging panel chaired by Roger McGough

Roger McGough CBE is chair of judges for the children’s CLiPPA, (CLPE Poetry Award), taking place in June. As chair a decade ago he criticised the lack of children’s poetry books, but now poetry is thriving and 20 publishers have submitted new collections. Others on the judging panel include Matt Goodfellow (pictured above), award winner in 2024 for The Final Year. This year’s shortlist was released in late April and the winner will be announced at a live event on 20th June. The shortlisted books are:

Wise Up! Wise Down! by John Agard and JonArno Lawson, illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura, Walker Books
Let Sleeping Cats Lie, Brian Bilston, Macmillan
Big Red Dragon by Jane Newberry, illustrated by Carolina Rabei, Otter-Barry Books
Colossal Words for Kids by Colette Hiller, illustrated by Tor Freeman, Frances Lincoln
We Are Family by Oliver Sykes, illustrated by Ian Morris, Otter-Barry Books

A 2024 report by the National Literacy Trust revealed children’s appetite for poetry to be at the highest levels ever, with young fans finding it ‘makes the world a better place’. “Our work with primary schools and research with teachers shows that when taught with confidence and enjoyment, poetry reaches children in ways other literary forms do not,” says CLPE’s Chief Executive Rebecca Eaves.

Established in 2003, the CLiPPA celebrates new poetry for children. Distinguished past winners include Michael Rosen, John Agard, Jackie Kay, Valerie Bloom and former Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho. Roger McGough won the award in 2004 and 2005. The children’s awards are delivered in partnership with the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) and supported by Arts Council England.

Find out more about the shortlist clpe.org.uk/poetry/CLiPPA

Further reading: Colette Hiller’s perfect words