The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) has announced the winner of the 2023 CLiPPA (Centre for Literacy in Primary Education Poetry Award).
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2023 Shortlisted Books
The CLiPPA 2023 is awarded to Ted Kooser and Connie Wanek for their collection of poems inspired by nature, Marshmallow Clouds (Walker Books), illustrated by Richard Jones.
Celebrating 20 years of the best childrens poetry.
In it's 20th year, the CLiPPA (CLPE Children’s Poetry Award) is awarded to Marshmallow Clouds by Ted Kooser and Connie Wanek, illustrated by Richard Jones.
Nicola Davies is Highly Commended for her moving sequence of poems about the refugee experience, Choose Love, illustrated by Petr Horácek.
In a year of outstanding poetry publishing for children, Nicola Davies is Highly Commended for her moving sequence of poems about the refugee experience, Choose Love (Graffeg) illustrated by Petr Horácek.
“Marshmallow Clouds impressed all the judges with the sheer quality of the poetry” says Chris Riddell, “The illustrations are in sympathy with the poems and the quality of the design and production is outstanding. It is a thing of beauty.”
Of Choose Love he says, “Choose Love is an immensely moving and passionate response to the refugee crisis that shows how relevant poetry for young people can be in addressing contemporary issues. The judges’ decision on both books was unanimous and we are immensely proud to highlight both these collections.”
Louise Johns-Shepherd, Chief Executive at CLPE says, “Poetry is a wonderful medium for engaging children in reading and writing, but it is often overlooked. The CLiPPA has been shining a spotlight on children’s poetry for twenty years and the excitement generated amongst children grows ever bigger. On the 20th anniversary of the CLiPPA, we are delighted to have such a strong shortlist and to celebrate it with so much joy and excitement. Our young audience today lifted the roof off the National Theatre and regard Ted, Connie, Joseph, Nicola, Nikita and Matt as superstars. We hope everyone will follow their lead and read these wonderful poetry books.”
The awards were presented by judge Chris Riddell OBE, last year’s CLiPPA winner poet Valerie Bloom and Mark Bispham of sponsor ALCS at the National Theatre’s Lyttleton Theatre. Ted Kooser and Connie Wanek receive a trophy and share a cheque for £1000.
As part of the prize they will also be recorded for the prestigious National Poetry Archive as will Nicola Davies.
The CLPE Children’s Poetry Award, the UK’s leading award for published poetry for children, was developed to ensure that children’s poetry has a recognised place within children’s literature. Full list of previous winners available here . The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) is an independent UK charity dedicated to raising the literacy achievement of children by putting quality children’s literature at the heart of all learning. It is a charity with a national and international reputation for excellent literacy training, teaching resources and research. CLPE has worked with Primary Schools for 50 years and supports thousands of teachers and schools each year.
Click on a year below to view past years from this award.
