Today at a live online event watched by thousands of school children across the UK, the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) announced the shortlist for the 2025 CLiPPA (CLPE Poetry Award).

Colossal words; effervescent rhymes for the very young; poetry adventures with a family of six; funny, touching poems about our pets; and a boundary-pushing poetry dialogue, this year’s CLiPPA shortlist is typically rich and varied, and “full of magic” says poet Roger McGough, Chair of Judges.

  • Household name poets John Agard and Brian Bilston make the list alongside newcomer Oliver Sykes.
  • 2024 CLiPPA winner Matt Goodfellow joins Roger McGough as a judge.
  • Shortlisted poets star in live online announcement of the shortlist watched by children.
  • Next stop, the National Theatre on London’s Southbank, 20 June, for this year’s roof-raising award ceremony, the CLiPPA Poetry Show

Now in its third decade, the CLiPPA is the UK’s leading award for published poetry for children and highlights the year’s best new poetry for children. Past winners include Carol Ann Duffy, Jackie Kay, Michael Rosen and Valerie Bloom as well as current Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho. Matt Goodfellow won the 2024 CLiPPA with the highly regarded verse novel, The Final Year, and is on this year’s judging panel.

Chair of the judges, poet Roger McGough says, “I and my fellow judges had so many wonderful books to choose from and this year’s shortlist features beautifully illustrated books to fascinate and inspire young readers (or listeners), an important new voice, as well as old friends with new books. These five collections each have their own magic. We are delighted now to hand these vibrant verses over to children and watch them make them their own through the CLiPPA Shadowing scheme.”

Roger McGough is joined on the panel by Lucy Bannerman, children’s books editor The Times; teacher Saira Bano; playwright and Marketing Manager at writing and educational charity First Story, Annette Brook; and fellow poet Matt Goodfellow.

The CLiPPA shortlist 2025:

Wise Up! Wise Down by John Agard and JonArno Lawson, illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura
Two extremely accomplished poets have a conversation in poems, riffing off on one another’s thoughts, going off at tangents and throwing their own new shapes. A boundary pushing collection that feels really different say the judges.

Let Sleeping Cats Lie, Brian Bilston
From a haiku composed by the poet’s dog to an experimental poem written by his cat, and an ode to scamster ‘Arry the ‘Amster, Brian Bilston’s collection will amuse (and sometimes move) all readers. This collection made the judges laugh out loud and they know it will have the same effect on children.

Big Red Dragon by Jane Newberry, illustrated by Carolina Rabei
There are poems for every season of the year in this liveliest of collections for youngsters, and lots of encouragement to join in. Bring your hands, your feet and your faces, say the judges and get ready to roar these poems off the page.

Colossal Words for Kids by Colette Hiller, illustrated by Tor Freeman
Indisputably original and ambitious, say the judges, this riveting collection introduces 75 tremendous words in clever rhymes that shout out to be read aloud.

We Are Family by Oliver Skyes, illustrated by Ian Morris
In a first and deeply personal collection, Oliver Sykes presents poems about growing up poor in a busy, loving single parent family, delivered with sustained energy and insight, and clear joy in rhyme. Authentic and convincing, this gives voice to children not heard enough, say the judges.

Poets joined live online announcement of the shortlist.

The CLiPPA encourages schools to explore the shortlist with their pupils through its unique Shadowing Scheme, which each year prompts poetry performances in hundreds of classrooms. In keeping with its aim of fully involving children in the CLiPPA, the shortlist was announced at an online event beamed live into schools at 2.15pm today, 23 April.

Shortlisted poets gave readings at the event, including Brian Bilston, Colette Hiller, JonArno Lawson, Jane Newberry and Oliver Sykes.

The CLiPPA Shadowing Scheme

Children will now choose their favourite poems from the collections and create their own poetry performances, either solo or in groups. The best of these will be celebrated at the joyous CLiPPA award ceremony at the National Theatre on Friday, 20 June.

Rebecca Eaves, Chief Executive, CLPE said “'Poetry is part of every child's life from their earliest days - whether they realise it or not - and it is a gateway to literacy for so many young readers and writers. Our judges have selected another magical shortlist for them. We know these collections will inspire wonderful Shadowing performances, and no doubt some superb writing too. We can’t wait to celebrate the shortlisted poets and the many children and teachers who love their work at this year’s CLiPPA Award ceremony at the National Theatre in June.”

The Shadowing Scheme is free for schools and launches on 23 April 2025. Schools can register their interest to take part now.

The Winners

The winner will be announced at the CLiPPA Poetry Show, live onstage at the National Theatre on London’s Southbank, Friday 20 June and will receive £1,000. The event will feature live poet readings from each shortlisted collection and the winning Shadowing performances too. Long-time CLiPPA supporter, former Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell will live draw the event.

#CLiPPA2025| @clpe1