Tips for Featuring Poets for Young People

We typically feature popular fiction writers with booktalks and displays in our book promotion activities, but have we considered giving poets the same publicity and close study? Creating time and space for featured poets helps introduce their work and encourage children to read more poetry. In addition, it can be inspiring for young would-be poets to see that there are successful adults who have made poetry writing their career. Here are guidelines for showcasing a “featured poet.”

The list begins:

1. Consider featuring a “poet of the month.” Choosing a variety of poets to highlight on a rotating basis to provide children with more in-depth exposure to the poems and poetry writing of each poet.
2. Start with the award-winning poets and other contemporary poets whose works children enjoy (e.g., NCTE Poetry Award, Lee Bennett Hopkins Award, Claudia Lewis Award, Lion and Unicorn Award).
3. Look for poets who may live and work in your immediate vicinity. Check with the local branch of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

For more details, get your copy of The Poetry Teacher’s Book of Lists.

And if you already have the book and would like to offer additions, corrections, or other input, please do so in the COMMENTS area. Thanks!