It's National Poetry Day today and what better excuse to celebrate our love of poetry here at LoveReading4Kids and LoveReading4Schools than to create a collection of poetry books we adore.

Each year we come together because voices, words and stories help to bridge understanding in our community.

Why do we need National Poetry Day?

66.5% of children and young people agreed that writing poetry made them feel better during lockdown. The National Literacy Trust (2020)

Poetry is an important vehicle to explore individual identity and the identity of others. CLPE The Power of Poetry (2017)

More than half of children and young people surveyed (54%) told us they do not currently engage with poetry. The National Literacy Trust (2018)

Poetry is the most common way for secondary students to encounter a Black, Asian or other minority ethnic author and single poems are the easiest texts to insert into the curriculum. The Runnymede Trust and Penguin Random House Lit in Colour Report (2020)

As you know we go all out on National Poetry Day each year, our nation's annual mass celebration on the first Thursday of October, that encourages all to enjoy, discover and share poetry. This year, National Poetry Day takes place today, on 6 October 2022, and the theme is The Environment.

As usual today we announce the winners of our 2023 LoveReading4Kids Poetry Prize, our competition for children ages 7- 11 from across the UK. The winning poet wins a trophy and certificate, a batch of gorgeous poetry books, plus a virtual visit to their school from poet Nicola Davies. Click here to read this year's fabulous winning poem Windrush Child, written by Aneil O'Connor, age 11, of St Teresas RC Primary School in Morden.

Here, we share and celebrate our favourite poetry books, and hope they bring you as much joy as they do us.

#NationalPoetryDay