it memorable. Poetry can be mysterious, it can be funny and it fits my temperament – and it fits the temperament of children as well. Good poetry is inspiring, engaging and mysterious it sparks imaginations and needs to be celebrated. That’s why the CLiPPA is important. It shows how published poetry can be used in schools, and really raises the profile of the genre. It is also about making the whole shortlist really visible. There will be a winner but all the shortlisted works are really celebrated.
L J-S: I think you’re so right and with the schools shadowing scheme this year we will really be able to show how great poetry inspires children. The children performing alongside the poets at the award show will highlight how much enjoyment, inspiration and motivation studying poetry gives children. So, given all you’ve said, why do you think so little children’s poetry is published?
R McG: I don’t know why there aren’t more people writing verse for children – maybe they can’t find the voice. There are some
fantastic young writers out there – and spoken word poets – maybe we are about to hear from a new generation. Poetry is firmly on the curriculum and publishers are starting to notice, there are champions of poetry in the publishing world like Janetta Otter-Barry (Frances Lincoln) and Gabby Morgan (Macmillan) and there are some great new (and older) writers so maybe the tide will change and we will start to see more published poetry books. However, people are going to be put off if they know that they could slog away at their work and it isn’t going to be noticed, reviewed or published. Nobody does it for the money, but it is important that the work gets to the people you have written it for and unless poetry lists get bigger there isn’t going to be a bigger audience.
L J-S: Will you be judging the CLiPPA next year?
R McG: I can’t. I have a book out this year and as the award is for a book of children’s poetry published in the previous year I will be eligible for the award – but not for the judges! n
The CLiPPA shortlist
Let in the Stars, by Mandy Coe (editor) illustrated by The Manchester School of Art, The Manchester Writing School, Manchester Metropolitan University, 978-1910029008 Werewolf Club Rules, by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by John O’Leary, Frances Lincoln, 978-1847804525, £6.99 Give the Ball to the Poet. A New Anthology of Caribbean Poetry, Georgie Horrell, Aisha Spencer and Morag Styles (editors), illustrated by Jane Ray, Commonwealth Education Trust, 978- 1909931008, £9.99 Blue Balloons and Rabbit Ears, Hilda Offen, Troika Books, 978- 1909991033, £6.99 My Life as a Goldfish and other poems, by Rachel Rooney, illustrated by Ellie Jenkins, Frances Lincoln, 978- 1847804822, £6.99
Teaching ideas for the shortlisted collections as well as videos from all the poets are available free on the CLPE Poetryline site. Books for Keeps No.213 July 2015 15
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