Established in 2003, the CLiPPA (Centre for Literacy in Primary Education Poetry Award) is the UK’s only award for published poetry for children and is delivered in partnership with ALCS. The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) and CLF reported an estimated audience of 4,000 watched Zaro Weil named winner for her collection of nature poems, Cherry Moon, published by ZaZa Kids/Troika Books.

Zaro Weil received a trophy and a cheque for £1,000. As part of the prize she will also be recorded for the prestigious National Poetry Archive.

From a particularly strong shortlist, Poems the Wind Blew In by Karmelo C. Iribarren translated by Lawrence Schimel, was awarded Highly Commended. Published by Birmingham based independent The Emma Press, it is the first work in translation to be shortlisted.

The CLiPPA Poetry Show also featured a special guest appearance by Michael Rosen who neatly summed up the shortlist before the announcement of the winner, while Chris Riddell, another former Children’s Laureate and long-time supporter of the CLiPPA, live drew the proceedings.

Take a look at this year’s shortlist, as well as the full list of previous CLiPPA winners at clpe.org.uk/poetryline/clippa.

About Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE)

CLPE is an independent UK charity working to raise the literacy achievement of children by putting quality children’s literature at the heart of all learning. CLiPPA, the CLPE Children’s Poetry Award, was developed to ensure that children’s poetry has a recognised place within children’s literature. For free poetry resources including films of poets performing visit clpe.org.uk/poetryline. For further information about CLPE please visit clpe.org.uk.

Photo © Gareth Jenkins