Poetry shortlist announced
Posted on Monday, May 22, 2017
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The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) has announced the 2017 shortlist for the CLiPPA award (Centre for Literacy in Primary Poetry Award), which celebrates outstanding poetry for children.
This year's shortlist encompasses all age ranges and styles, from the early years appeal of Zim Zam Zoom! by James Carter to the verse novel for older readers, Booked by Kwame Alexander. Other titles shortlisted include Kate Wakeling's debut collection for children, Moon Juice, and Jelly Boots, Smelly Boots by long-time favourite and previous CLiPPA winner Michael Rosen. There is also a celebratory anthology Wonderland, Alice in Poetry edited by Michaela Morgan. The shortlist in full: Kwame Alexander: Booked (Andersen Press) A free verse novel, written in the voice of 12 year old soccer-loving boy. James Carter: Zim Zam Zoom!, illus by Nicola Colton (Otter-Barry Books) Perfectly pitched for the young listener or early reader with plenty of opportunities for joining in. Michaela Morgan (editor): Wonderland; Alice in Poetry, (Macmillan) An anthology celebrating the spirit of Wonderland with each poet bringing their own refreshing spin. Michael Rosen: Jelly Boots, Smelly Boots, illus by David Tazzyman (Bloomsbury) Quirky, clever poems from those that involve humorous misunderstandings to thoughtful and more intimate musings. Kate Wakeling: Moon Juice, illus by Elina Braslia (The Emma Press) A debut collection of poetry that presents magical, strange and unlikely events in a confident and persuasive way. Rachel Rooney, poet and chair of the CLiPPA 2017 Judges said, "Judging was made a challenge by the spread of books that were submitted as the CLiPPA is open to published poetry books for a diverse and changing readership, from the pre-schooler to the early teen. "Writing poetry for children can appear easy but writing powerful poetry that is accessible and appealing to children is considerably more difficult to achieve. In their own particular way, all the shortlisted books did this." The winner of the 2017 Award will be announced on 14 July at a ceremony in London The free Shadowing Scheme to involve schools in the Poetry Award 2017 is now open. Schools are also invited to apply for tickets to attend the Award Ceremony which will encompass a Poetry Show with all the shortlisted poets.
