Poetry Competition for 7-11 yr olds

Old Possum's Children's Poetry Competition 2009

The Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy is to chair international competition:

Carol Ann Duffy, the new Poet Laureate, is to chair the judging panel for a worldwide poetry competition for 7-11 year olds. The Competition is organised by the Children's Poetry Bookshelf, a poetry book club for young people run by the Poetry Book Society. To link with National Poetry Day on Thursday 8 October, children will be asked to write a poem in English on the theme of 'Heroes and Heroines'.

Now in its fourth year, the competition is open to both individuals and schools. Cash prizes of £250 for first prize, £100 for second and £50 for third will be awarded, along with books and CPB memberships, in two age groups, 7-8 year-olds and 9-11 year-olds. Entries will be accepted from Thursday 10 September, up until the closing date of Monday 19 October. The winners will be announced at a gala celebration in London in December.

A teacher's guide to accompany the competition will be available to download from the Children's Poetry Bookshelf website (www.childrenspoetrybookshelf.co.uk) from early September, along with further information about the competition.

For further information about the Competition please contact:
Hilary Davidson email hilary@poetrybooks.co.uk
or Chris Holifield email chris@poetrybooks.co.uk