CLiPPA Poetry Award 2026 shortlist announced

The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) has announced the shortlist for the 2026 CLiPPA (CLPE Poetry Award). Each year the CLiPPA prize highlights outstanding new poetry collections for the young and very young.

Past winners include Carol Ann Duffy, Michael Rosen, Jackie Kay and Joseph Coelho and most recently Colette Hiller (2025) and Matt Goodfellow (2024).

This year's CLiPPA shortlist includes poetry across all ages and tastes, from irresistible new finger rhymes for the youngest poetry fans and imaginative and informative poems about bugs, as well as a playful debut collection inspired by video games, and a superb anthology of poems by Black poets, from the US, Caribbean and the UK. Also included is a sumptuous, illustrated anthology featuring favourite poems from a poet who has been entertaining and inspiring children for over 40 years.

Chair of the judges, poet and Children's Laureate Wales Nicola Davies said, "One of the great powers of poetry for children and young people is in its variety; every child can find a poem that speaks to them. The list of nominees for this year's CLiPPA absolutely represented that glorious diversity of voice and form. Which of course made the job of the judging panel both especially joyful and especially difficult! I hope every child can find a poem contained in this shortlist that will delight them and in which they feel their experience of being alive in the world today, reflected."

The CLiPPA shortlist 2026

Five Little Friends: A Collection of Finger Rhymes by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Fiona Woodcock, Walker Books (3+)

With 35 brand new finger rhymes, this collection invites children to use not just their fingers, but their arms, and even their whole bodies to bring the verses to life. This will have everyone joining in, say the judges, who loved the memorable rhymes, the storytelling element and the way the book provides so many opportunities for contact and bonding.

A First Book of Bugs by Simon Mole, illustrated by Adam Ming, Walker Books (5+)

Simon Mole introduces young readers to a wide range of bugs through verse. We meet millipedes, ants, bombardier beetles and more and the verse is as varied, ranging from snappy haiku-style three liners and rhythmic text to blank verse. A brilliant book to share with children, say the judges, it explores biology through the milieu of poetry and will both spark their curiosity about the natural world and their desire to write.

The Poetry World of John Agard by John Agard, illustrated by Shirley Hottier, Otter-Barry Books (6+)

John Agard selects 80 of his liveliest, funniest and most engaging poems in this masterful collection, which shows off his unique talent for observation and mischief, as well as the joy he finds in language. The warmth and playfulness is irresistible, say the judges, Agard's voice is so distinctive and reading this is like getting a hug.

Press Start to Play by Sam Gayton, illustrated by Jack Noel, Andersen Press (8+)

This inventive debut collection cleverly bridges the gap between gaming and poetry, inviting readers to 'press start on poetry' and treat language as a kind of playground. It speaks directly to young gamers, using the style, rhythm, and energy of video games to spark an interest in words. Interactive, relatable and a gateway into word play, there's lots to appeal here, say the judges, and the book dispels old notions of what poetry is.

This is Not a Small Voice: Poems by Black Poets edited by Traci N. Todd, illustrated by Jade Orlando, Nosy Crow (10+)

Traci N. Todd brings together a range of predominantly African American, Caribbean, and Black British writing for children while an afterword puts the poems in their historical and cultural context and highlights the poems' contributions to black pride, community, and resistance. Beautiful, say the judges, wonderful poems full of music, insight and originality, with strong design and handsome illustrations.

Judging panel

Nicola Davies is joined on the judging panel by 2025 CLiPPA winner, Colette Hiller; Reading Development and Children's Book Consultant, Jake Hope; Lisa Mead, CEO of Apples and Snakes; and Anjali Patel, Lead Advisory Teacher, CLPE.

CLiPPA Shadowing Scheme

The CLiPPA encourages schools to explore the shortlist with their pupils through its unique Shadowing Scheme, which each year prompts poetry performances in hundreds of classrooms. Now the shortlist has been announced, children in schools across the UK can choose their favourite poems from the collections and create their own poetry performances, either solo or in groups. The best of these will be celebrated at the joyous CLiPPA award ceremony at the National Theatre on Thursday, 9 July.

Anjali Patel, judge and Lead Advisory Teacher, CLPE said, "This year's CLiPPA shortlist demonstrates the rich variety and high quality of the poetry being published for children today. At CLPE we know that poetry is the perfect route into reading and oracy for children and that it has a unique appeal to their love of language and play, so we are delighted to be sharing these five books with young people, and in the National Year of Reading expect record numbers of schools to participate in the CLiPPA Shadowing."

The Shadowing Scheme is free for schools and launches on 20 April 2026. Schools can register their interest to take part now. The winner will be announced at the CLiPPA Poetry Show, live onstage at the National Theatre on London's Southbank, Thursday 9 July and receives £1,000. The event will feature live poet readings from each shortlisted collection and the winning Shadowing performances too. Long-time CLiPPA supporter, former Children's Laureate Chris Riddell will live draw the event.