The CLPE Poetry Award is the only award recognising poetry books for children in the UK. Run by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), the prize is awarded to an outstanding book of poems aimed at young readers.

This year’s winner is Wayland: The Tale of the Smith from the Far North by Tony Mitton and illustrated by John Lawrence. Wayland is narrative verse retelling the legend of a master blacksmith who fashions such ‘wonderful ware’ that he is captured by the king. The book itself is visually stunning with the story depicted in John Lawrence’s eye catching engravings. The book is aimed at ages 12+.

Other books on the shortlist were:

Poems to Perform by Julia Donaldson (Primary)

Cosmic Disco by Grace Nichols (Key stage 3)

Bookside Down by Joanne Limburg (Primary)

The Dragon with a Big Nose by Kathy Henderson (Key stage 2)