Early this year when Australian Children’s Poetry founder Di Bates called for someone to take on the site she’d started so successfully, I tentatively put up my hand. I wasn’t sure I was the right person. I do occasionally write poetry for children and sometimes it’s published in magazines and anthologies. But I certainly don’t think of myself as a poet and taking on the role of site editor felt a bit presumptuous considering my approach to writing poetry is intuitive, not educated.
I’m so glad I ignored the niggling doubts. I’ve enjoyed reading the wonderful contributions for Poem of the Day by so many talented Australian writers of poetry for children. It’s been wonderful to have you generously share your work with others. Thank you. This site couldn’t continue to attract the interest it does without your support.
Since the site began in March 2014, it’s attracted more than 141,000 views and more than 42,000 visitors. I’m sure you’ll agree that’s rather impressive for a children’s poetry site. The Poem of the Day is the most popular of all posts, followed by the listing of poets.
Because I’m not always guaranteed to have a Poem of the Day to post every day of the year, I recently introduced the Words+Pictures creative challenge. These posts have inspired some wonderful contributions, with the snail theme by far the most popular. That’s prompted me to issue a more structured creative challenge next year. Throughout 2016, every Monday from January 4 I’ll post a poetry prompt for you. I’ll mix it up with words, pictures, themes and poetic styles. Are you up for the challenge? I hope so because I’m looking forward to receiving some inspired responses…and being inspired to write more poems myself.
Happy creative New Year!
Teena
Australian Children’s Poetry 
You’ve done wonderfully this year as the blog leader, Teena, and I thank you for all of your efforts. Love the idea of the poetry challenge and I plan to be conscientious about contributing. I hope all the poets out there follow suit! Di x
Di, it’s been a pleasure reading all the wonderful contributions. I’ll look forward to receiving more of your poems.
Keep up the great work, Teena. The quality of the poems is terrific and it’s encouraging to see that stats of visits to the site. I’m still a dabbling kind of poetry writer but hope to do a bit more one day.
From one poetry dabbler to another, let’s see what we can come up with this year, Kaye.
Thank you Teena for continuing to run this site so well. I need discipline with my writing and a weekly challenge is just the ticket! I contribute to the 52 week flash fiction group weekly because it’s factored into my ‘must do’ stuff and I really want to do the same with my poetry. Happy New Year
Thanks, Tricia. I’ll look forward to receiving your contributions…coming up with interesting weekly poetry prompts will be my challenge.
Yes. Thanks for the site and all your hard work Teena
Thanks for your contributions during the year, Helen.
You’ve done a wonderful job, Teena. Love reading each poem of the day even if I don’t get to respond. I think the words+pictures challenge was inspired and look forward to more in 2016
Debra, it’s such a treat reading all the contributions and seeing what wonderfully talented Aussie children’s poets we have.
Teena, I too love the idea of the poetry challenge — all very inspiring `and who knows
what will come up. Thanks very much, Katherine
Thanks, Katherine. I hope the challenge will inspire me to write more poems too.
Thanks for your hard work Teena..and for your enviable know-how!New Year greetings and all good wishes.Anne
Thanks, Anne, for your contributions and support and all the best for a creative 2016.