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Posted in Introduction

Welcome to Poetry Roundabout!

Posted on by Liz Brownlee

Poetry Roundabout is the go-to place to find anything and everything about poetry for young people. Poems do not have to be written specifically for young people to be accessible to them; content is however always suitable. This is a place of fun poetry, interesting poetry, lyrical poetry, poems in all different forms and shapes and sizes!  Visit for interviews with the best children’s poets, poetry news, how to write poems, poems of course, and poetry book reviews… and more besides! For teachers, young people’s poets, and poets who are young people!

Teachers, Editors, Publishers, people who wish to employ a poet! At the top in the tabs you will find an A-Z of poets and their poems from the UK, US and round the world.

Posted in Poetry Book Parade

Everything all at Once, by Steven (aka PolarBear) Camden

Posted on by Liz Brownlee

 

How FABULOUS to be able to review a young people’s poetry book written for above primary age.

These poems speak directly in an authentic teenage voice, with humour and insight, giving voice to the complex, anxious, insecure and serious feelings that face all teenagers. And the exciting ones, too! Steven Camden, AKA Polarbear is by reputation (I regret that I have not seen him!) an excellent spoken-word poet, but these poems live on the page as well as they would in the mouth.

Some of the poems are almost unbearably poignant. As I read it I could feel myself going hot and cold with remembered angst; but also sadness at many of the new challenges our young people face nowadays.

It also made me laugh out loud. This book and these poems are well overdue, there is so little that is pertinent and specifically for this age-group. Very much recommended, teachers.

Once Upon a Star: A Poetic Journey Through Space, by James Carter

 

Once Upon a Star, a poetic journey through space, by James Carter, illustrated graphically and wonderfully by Mar Hernández, is published by Caterpillar Books, and is available here.

Having recently read all about how the Universe started because I was writing poems about space, I know just how hard it is to condense the journey of our beginnings from extraordinarily complicated and immense and beautiful into a poem so simple and immense and beautiful, but James has done it.

If you have young people, do buy this, it’s wonderful.

Wish a Wish, Poems by Moira Andrew

I’ve always liked Moira Andrew‘s clarity of expression, and this collection (Poetry Space), illustrated by Anna Popescu, is no exception. She captures moments wonderfully and although this is a collection for young people, addressing many childhood concerns, there are no concessions as to language, and there is much in here for those of us who remember what it’s like to be young! There’s only one thing I don’t like about it and that’s the font – Comic Sans. Here’s a sample poem:

 

Halloween

 

There’s always that shiver –

a catch of breath at the first taste

……of frost

and a slick of fear… what if?

 

What if that billowing shadow

is not what it seems, the yellow

……street light

a monster’s searching eyes?

 

And those menacing pumpkins…

what if they were to widen  their

……toothy grins

and spit out a stream of curses?

 

There’s always that dread…

what if the undead wrap up

……in darkness

and follow Trick-Treaters home?

 

Halloween’s an in-between…

ghosts and ghoulies, apples

……silver coins,

autumn’s end, winter’s start-up.

 

© Moira Andrew

Last Week to Enter Never Such Innocence Poetry (and art and songs) Competition

Never Such Innocence want to encourage young people to engage with their shared history and heritage, and create their own cultural and artistic legacy to mark the centenary of the First World War.

Together: A UK-German Centenary Project

During this final year of the centenary they are embarking on a youth-centred UK-German creative arts project, inviting schools and educational groups to participate in their project, Together, which provides the opportunity for young people aged 9-16 from the UK and Germany to work in partnership, or independently, to produce poetry, art or songs that are inspired by our shared history: inviting the custodians of the future to draw on the events of the First World War and create messages of hope and unity.

Details here: Never Such Innocence

Winners of Livecannon’s Children’s Poetry Competition Announced

Livecannon are an ensemble performing poetry (from memory) at theatres, festivals and events throughout the UK; recording poetry for radio and CDs; creating poetry installations and digital projects; publishing poetry; and working with young people to create, explore and enjoy poems.

They are delighted to announce the winners of this year’s children’s poetry competition here.

 

Two More Days to Enter Your School in the Marvellous CLPE Shadowing Scheme!

The CliPPA Free Schools Shadowing Scheme is now open, but about to CLOSE!

Register here to take advantage of their free poetry shadowing scheme and use their quality CLiPPA 2018 shortlist planning and resources to inspire your class with poetry.

They have produced teaching sequences and poet performance films for all of the shortlisted books. Choose from the following high quality resources to support you to get your class performing poetry!

The Rainmaker Danced by John Agard. Resources for years 4/5
Overheard in a Tower Block by Joseph Coelho. Resources for years 6/7
Where Zebras Go by Sue Hardy-Dawson. Resources for years 2/3/4
Rising Stars. New Young Voices in Poetry by multiple poets. Resources for years 7/8
Rhythm and Poetry by Karl Nova. Resources for years 4/5
Moonrise by Sarah Crossan. Resources for Upper KS3/KS4

Schools are invited to send videos of children performing from the shortlist to poetry@clpe.org.uk by 9am on 7 June. Winning groups will be picked to perform at the Award Ceremony at the National Theatre on 22 June 2018.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? This is a marvellous opportunity – I’ve attended several CLiPPA performances at the award ceremony and they are fabulous!

Posted in Poetry Videos

Celia Warren’s Poem, A Yeti, read by Alfie Skinner

Posted on by Liz Brownlee

Celia Warren is an editor and a poet. Her beautifully illustrated book for the RSPB, The RSPB Anthology of Wildlife Poetry, A&C Black, is available here, and her anthology A Time to Speak and a Time to Listen, Schofield & Sims, is available here; a Teacher’s Guide is available to accompany this book. Her worm poem collection, Don’t Poke a Worm till it Wriggles, is available here.

This video was one of a collection used at Arnolfini in Bristol during Bristol Poetry Festival, for a Poetry Exhibition.

 

Posted in Poetry in Education

Teachers!

Posted on by Liz Brownlee

Do you want to enthuse your pupils with a love of words and give them ways of expressing themselves and extend their vocabulary at the same time as giving them a fabulously entertaining day?

There is one way to do this – invite a poet in to your school to read, perform, excite, enthuse, inspire and do workshops with them!

In the tabs at the top of the site is an A-Z of poets working in schools. Most are working in this country. Have a look! There may be one near you… including me!