We are delighted to share our shortlist for The LoveReading4Kids Poetry Prize 2023 in association with National Poetry Day. We would like to say a huge thank you to all of our young poets who entered in droves this year, it really was an absolute treat to read your poems. The theme was a tough one this year, mirroring the National Poetry Day theme of refugees, and we were amazed by the talented bunch you are.
It was an immensely difficult task for the judging panel to pin the hundreds and hundreds of entries down to a long list of 24, and then decide on the final 12 for the shortlist. Now it’s your turn, you are able to vote for your favourite poem on the Shortlist and the People’s Choice Award will be announced on the same day as the overall Judges’ Winner – National Poetry Day, Thursday October 5th.
You don’t have long, all votes must be cast by Friday 29th September so go on, dive in, read some of the wonderful creations – and have your say.
Then on October 5th, on National Poetry Day, the annual mass celebration that encourages all to enjoy, discover and share poetry – all winners will be announced.
We encourage you to get involved with activities nationwide on the day; the theme this year is Refuge. National Poetry Day generates an explosion of activity nationwide, thousands of amazing events across the UK – on doorsteps and at kitchen tables, in gardens and streets, in schools, libraries and public spaces both online and offline – all celebrating poetry’s power to bring people together, and we are delighted to be involved at LoveReading.
National Poetry Day isn’t bounded by just one day: it’s a storehouse of ideas and activities free to use all year round, whether at home or in the classroom. Explore this site for ways to encourage student enjoyment of poetry, including brand new resources and activities to help all ages create new poems on the theme of Choice.
The Judges’ Choice poet will win a visit to their school from National Poetry Day ambassador Nicola Davies, £250 of book tokens for the winning school and £50 for the winning poet.
The People's Choice winning poet will receive £20 of book tokens for themselves and £100 for their school. Thank you to National Book Tokens.
The Judges’ Choice, and People’s Choice will also receive a trophy and certificate and a batch of beautiful poetry books thanks to publisher Macmillan Children's Books. The Runner Up will receive a trophy and certificate.
The LoveReading4Kids Poetry Prize for 2024 opens for entries from children aged 7-11 on April 1st 2024. We look forward to reading your poems for next year.
If you’re a lover of poetry, do take a look at some of our favourite poetry books, in our poetry section of LoveReading4Kids and our recent blog on some of our favourite poetry books.