Old Possum’s Children’s Poetry Competition
A great competition which had over 4000 entries this year from all over the world.
The awards and celebrations were held at The Unicorn Theatre in London on 14th December.
Children and parents mingled with poets and publishers.
Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Laureate and chair of the judging panel said,
‘We left our meeting convinced that the true beginnings of poetry are to be found in writing by children.”
This international poetry competition, now in its fourth year, is run by Children’s Poetry Bookshelf, part of Poetry Book Society, in partnership with the British Council.
Lots of excited faces, as the winners joined judges John Agard, Roger Stevens and Carol Ann Duffy at the presentation. As well as the prizes there will be a commemorative booklet, in which winning and recommended poems will be featured.
It is available from Children’s Poetry Bookshelf, which is a great website as a resource and just good to read as well!
Some of the lines that have stayed with us are;
Men watching
Friends go forever
From A Soldier’s Poem by Louisa, aged 8.
And,
He is the blow of a whistle
That can be heard all over the world.
About Barack Obama by Sarah, aged 8.
Children’s writing has a way of finding the truth…..
Dolphin Booksellers – finding out more about books for children.
Filed under Uncategorized | Tags: award, carol ann duffy, children's poetry bookshelf, dolphin booksellers, old possum children's poetry competition, poetry | Comment (0)Crispy Juice
Crispy Juice – Love Music, Love poetry, Love kids.
A new concept bringing rhymes and poetry together in a beautifully presented package. Crispy Juice website has style, quality and is a real delight in the illustrations and the way rhymes and music are put together.
The music is available to listen to on the website and CD’s can be purchased on line. If you are lucky enough to live near Bristol, there may be some markets where you can find a Crispy Juice stall.
When you buy a CD, a donation of £1 is given to Zambuko library.
Calico Pie is the first CD produced. There are over 20 rhymes and songs, old favourites and new ones too, set to music by Paul Bradley using a melodica, glockenspiel, guitar and piano.
Its very dreamy and as they say on the CD, ‘Its best served warm with a cosy blanket’.
Just right for winter evenings and anytime that you and the children want to enjoy music and rhymes.
It would be great for nurseries ‘sleepy times’ just after lunch. You know that sort of time when you don’t need to actually sleep, but music and a comfy chair and a good book are just right!
Dolphin Booksellers have information and lists of books for Christmas, plus you can buy them direct through the link to Amazon, so great books at good prices. A winning combination.
Filed under Dolphinbooksellers, New titles | Tags: children's poetry bookshelf, Dolphinbooksellers, nursery rhymes.music, poetry, rhythm, zambucko library | Comment (0)Heroes and Heroines
Heroes and Heroines is the theme of the Old Possum’s Children’s Poetry Competition for for 2009. Time to get your imaginations fired up again after the summer break and get writing.
The Children’s Bookshelf is organising the competition, they’re part of the Poetry Book Society. Even if you don’t want to get involved in the competition, its worth having a look at their website, it has all the details and much more beside.
The competition, now in its fourth year, is open to individuals and schools, and divided into 2 age groups,7- 8 yr olds and 9 – 11 yr olds. There are cash prizes as well as books and CPB memberships. A teacher’s guide will be available from early September.
Entries will be accepted from 10 September until 19th October, so its just right for that first few days back in the classroom! On Thursday 8th October we have National Poetry day, the work cover 2 activities in 1!
Carol Ann Duffy, the new poet laureate will chair the panel, to include, John Agard, Antonia Byatt, Gillian Clarke, Janetta Otter Barry and Roger Stevens. They all have a fantastic achievements within their work and connections to children’s poetry.
Support for the project also comes from Old Possum’s Practical Trust. TS Elliot would undoubtedly enjoy the title of the competition, Heroes and Heroines. I’m just wondering which heroine I would choose?
Visit Dolphin Booksellers home page for information and books.
Filed under Book events, Dolphinbooksellers, Featured authors | Tags: carol ann duffy, children's poetry bookshelf, competition, Dolphinbooksellers, Old Possum, poetry, TS Elliot | Comment (0)