Fraser Coast Regional Libraries held their first Poetry Writing contest for NAIDOC Week this year and our very own Celia Berrell was awarded a Highly Commended for her poem Ancient Secrets in the Sky. Congratulations Celia!
You can read Celia’s beautiful words by following this link. You can find out more about the story behind the poem on Celia’s website.
Poems wanted
Please keep submissions of poetry coming in for the Poem of the Day. Your submissions are much appreciated and I’m enjoying them immensely. If you’re a poet who is still thinking about whether to submit, please do! Poems are always needed and get posted so long as they are suitable for children (including teenagers). Previously published poems can be submitted provided you still retain copyright. Email traffa-m@bigpond.net.au
Articles, events, information and interviews
ACP is also happy to accept information about children’s poetry activities and events in Australia and overseas, poetry links, competitions, interviews with poets or publishers, and relevant articles.
Thank you, Dianne Cook, for submitting the following items.
The CLPE Poetry Award (CLiPPA) for a book of poetry for children was launched in 2003. The award is presented annually, usually in July, for a book of poetry published in the preceding year. Check out the shortlist for CLiPPA 2015 here.
The state of Children’s Poetry has received some high-profile attention recently: poet Chrissie Gittins – featured in Let – was in the Guardian asking “why is Children’s Poetry so invisible?”: http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/apr/28/why-is-childrens-poetry-so-invisible-chrissie-gittins.
The 2015 Manchester Children’s Book Festival will have a whole weekend dedicated to Children’s Poetry on 4th and 5th July: http://www.mcbf.org.uk/whats-on/events/mcbf-childrens-poetry-weekend-let-in-the-stars-of-childrens-poetry. They’re also inviting bookshops, libraries, schools, reading groups and individuals to set up their own children’s poetry events and share their favourite poems and new creations: http://www.mcbf.org.uk/get-involved/let-in-the-stars-of-childrens-poetry
Winning words
I hope you’re all thinking about your entries for the 12th Kathleen Julia Bates Memorial Writing Competition (Children’s Poetry). For Australian writers only, this competition is for a poem suitable for a child up to the age of 12 years. Maximum length 30 lines. Open theme. Closing date June 30. Full details here.
Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards
Closing date 30 June
The annual poetry competition for school-aged children is now open. Optional theme is ‘the open door’. Individual fee of $15 or $25 for schools (up to 30 entries) or $50 (over 30 entries).
For more information, click here.
Australian Children’s Poetry 