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Summit on children's poetry
14 Jul 2008
The National Literacy Trust, the Poetry Book Society and Macmillan Children’s Books led a summit yesterday (14 July 2008) to examine growing concern over children’s poetry.
The summit highlighted children’s love of poetry and its cultural and educational importance. It also looked for ways to enhance its profile in the UK.
Over the past year, a number of reports, surveys and articles have drawn attention to worrying trends in children’s poetry:
• The UK Literacy Association’s Teachers as Readers research highlighted low levels of awareness of poetry amongst primary teachers
• National Literacy Trust research has identified the low numbers of children reading poetry outside of school, despite perceiving it as one of the most important materials a reader can enjoy
• OFSTED has highlighted the importance of poetry in our schools
• The Children's Poetry Bookshelf is struggling to find new poetry books for its members
• Macmillan is one of the only major publishers with a dedicated children’s poetry list
Taking place in July, the 2008 National Year of Reading’s month to celebrate rhythm and rhyme, the summit discussed practical ways for the publishing, education and voluntary sectors to work together to promote and enhance children’s poetry.
Jonathan Douglas, director, National Literacy Trust said:
“Children’s poetry has a unique power to engage and inspire young readers. Poems that children love can help to develop all literacy skills; not just reading but also speaking and listening skills.
“Important initiatives are already championing children’s poetry. However, we hope that more can be done. We want to bring together a unique group of people who are passionate about children’s poetry to scope potential collaborative action.”
Chris Holifield, director, Poetry Book Society said:
“We believe that poetry can engage the minds, hearts and skills of children. It is a pure expression of joy in words. It is an integral part of a reading life. We believe every child should experience poetry.
“However the evidence suggests we are facing a problem with both the demand and the supply of children’s poetry.”
Gaby Morgan, editorial director, Macmillan Children’s Books said:
“We have a thriving and incredibly diverse poetry list, spanning the classic Collected Poems of Charles Causley, more school-friendly titles like The Works and very successful humorous books like There’s A Hamster in the Fast Lane.
“When poetry books like these get into the hands of children, they provide a rich verbal feast. They are brilliant for encouraging and developing reading skills and a love of language. We hope that this summit will ultimately help raise the profile of children’s poetry with teachers and retailers. The message is that poetry is nothing to be scared of!”
The meeting at Macmillan on the 14 July was attended by Michael Rosen, the Children’s Poet Laureate, as well as representatives from poetry, literacy and book publishing organisations.
ends.
For more information please contact Fiona Lewis on 020 7820 6253 or email fiona.lewis@literacytrust.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
1. National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that changes lives through literacy. It links home, school and the wider community to inspire learners and create opportunities for everyone. The National Literacy Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, no. 1116260, and a company limited by guarantee, no. 5836486, Registered office: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL
www.literacytrust.org.uk
2. Poetry Book Society
Founded by T S Eliot and friends in 1953, the Poetry Book Society (PBS) is an organisation devoted to developing and maintaining the reading and sales of poetry in the U.K. The PBS offers the best new contemporary poetry to its members. http://www.poetrybooks.co.uk/
The PBS also runs www.poetrybookshoponline.comawards the annual T S Eliot Prize for Poetry and sells and distributes the Poetry Archive’s 100 CDs.
3. Macmillan Children’s Books
Macmillan Children’s Books publishes books for children of all ages, from babies to teenagers. Award-winning authors and illustrators such as Julia Donaldson (author of THE GRUFFALO), Tony Robinson (author of THE WORST CHILDREN’S JOBS IN HISTORY), Roger McGough (editor of SENSATIONAL), Emily Gravett (author and illustrator of WOLVES), Rod Campbell (author and illustrator of DEAR ZOO), Frank Cottrell Boyce (author of MILLIONS, FRAMED and COSMIC), Chris Riddell (author and illustrator of OTTOLINE) and many more are published by Macmillan Children’s Books.
http://www.panmacmillan.com
4. UKLA Teachers as Readers Research
5. National Literacy Trust Research
Clark, C and Osborne, S. (2008). Young people’s self-perceptions as readers. London: National Literacy Trust. http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/research/reader_selfperception.html
6. The Children’s Poetry Bookshelf
The Children's Poetry Bookshelf is the Poetry Book Society’s book club for young readers aged 7 - 11 dedicated entirely to poetry. The PBS also runs the annual poetry competition for the same age group, the Old Possum’s Children’s Poetry Competition.
http://www.childrenspoetrybookshelf.co.uk
7. Ofsted - Poetry in Schools
This report evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of provision for poetry in primary and secondary schools.
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/070034
8. The 2008 National Year of Reading
The 2008 National Year of Reading is a year-long celebration of reading, in all its forms. It will help to build a greater national passion for reading – for children, families and adult learners alike. The Year will encourage people to read in businesses, homes, and communities around the country, providing new opportunities to read and helping people to access help and support through schools and libraries. The 2008 National Year of Reading is being managed by the National Literacy Trust and lead partner The Reading Agency. www.yearofreading.org.uk
