The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) announced today the shortlist for the 2026 CLiPPA (CLPE Poetry Award).

The CLiPPA is the UK’s leading prize for poetry for children and each year highlights outstanding new collections for the young and very young. Past winners include Carol Ann Duffy, Michael Rosen, Jackie Kay and Joseph Coelho and most recently Colette Hiller (2025) and Matt Goodfellow (2024).  You can find the shortlist below and hear more from poets in our National Year of Reading Poetry Feature here.

As Chair of the judges, poet and Children’s Laureate Wales Nicola Davies says, “One of the great powers of poetry for children and young people is in its variety; every child can find a poem that speaks to them. The list of nominees for this year’s CLiPPA absolutely represented that glorious diversity of voice and form” so why not join the shadowing programme and see where these poetry collections might take your students’ writing, reading and love of language this term.