It’s time again for this week’s Children’s Poetry Blog Post Roundup! For those of us who love reading, writing, and teaching poetry to young people, it’s always wonderful to see what’s happening out there. So, here’s the news from the world of children’s poetry for the past week.
Children’s Poetry Summit
The Children’s Poetry Summit shared exciting news about the upcoming 2026 National Year of Reading, highlighting that CLPE will champion children’s poetry through the CLiPPA Prize as part of this national focus. Their post, Phoebe Demeger: Children’s Poetry Takes a Bow!, explained that the National Literacy Trust is urging daily reading, emphasizing poetry’s benefits for wellbeing, confidence, and creativity. Last year’s CLiPPA Shadowing Scheme engaged roughly 40,000 primary pupils, and the shortlist for the 2026 prize will be announced in April, with the ceremony at the National Theatre in July to be livestreamed for schools.
Danna Smith Book Blog
This week, author Danna Smith offered some lighthearted advice for parents on her blog, with How to Handle “The Repeat Read”: A Survival Guide for Parents, humorously tackling the familiar challenge of children wanting the same book read repeatedly. She also celebrated a milestone, as her best-selling bilingual counting board book, Bilingual Counting Fun: ‘Two at the Zoo’ Turns 15!, marked its 15th anniversary, still charming young adventurers counting zoo animals.
David L. Harrison
David L. Harrison had a busy and productive week! He shared updates on new projects, including completing a new poetry article with Tim Rasinski for The Robb Review, as detailed in The story must wait, and he’s even discussing a possible new book with Laura Robb. His post If the wine is sour… gave us a peek into his writing process, exploring how he tries to spark new children’s stories and knows when to discard an idea that isn’t working.
We also got a first look at the cover for his upcoming picture book, Pumpkin on a Vine, which can now be preordered, illustrated by Alice Feagan and edited by Grace Maccarone, announced in Pumpkin on a Vine. He also encouraged readers to spread the word about his A reminder about Poetry from Daily Life Free Video Library, which aims to make poetry more familiar.
In I’m in a museum. Hmm, he revealed that he is featured in a new exhibition at the History Museum on the Square in Springfield, celebrating local stories with national impact. Finally, he happily announced in A poem in New Croton Review in New York that his poem “Association Poem” will appear in the fall issue of New Croton Review, a magazine that has also featured Mary Frances Wagner, Missouri’s 6th Poet Laureate.
Imagine the Possibilities
For Poetry Friday, Rose Cappelli offered Poetry Friday: Waiting for You, joining Susan Thomsen‘s roundup at Chicken Spaghetti. The post featured a prompt inviting poets to use the last line of Walt Whitman’s Song of Myself as a starting point, and Rose shared her own draft poem, Off Leash, which explores themes of waiting, wandering, and the feeling of home.
Joshua Seigal
Joshua Seigal brought some sweetness to his blog this week with Valentine’s Day FOOD POEMS. He shared his delight from visiting South Camberley Primary School, where he led a charming food-themed love-poem activity. The post showcased a few of the creative and delicious poems that emerged from the students for Valentine’s Day.
Laura Purdie Salas
Laura Purdie Salas shared a lovely Poetry Friday update from Minnesota in A Different Drum, a Tricube. She reflected on a week filled with both chaos and beauty, from personal projects like progress on a picture-book manuscript to supportive critique group meetings and inspiring figure-skating moments, alongside good news about a poetry submission. She also introduced her third and final tricube poem and referenced Susan Thomsen‘s Poetry Friday Roundup.
Live Your Poem
Irene Latham celebrated Poetry Friday with A Palindrome Birthday. Her post was a rich collection, featuring roundups and birthday greetings, a helpful “2-Minute Writing Tip,” and an “ArtSpeak” feature inspired by Frida Kahlo, which resulted in a Golden Shovel poem about watermelons and death.
Michelle Schaub Writes
Michelle Schaub announced a fantastic opportunity for educators and kidlit writers this week: a free webinar titled Writers Inspiring Writers FREE Webinar. The webinar will feature authors Jolene Guitiérrez, Nell Cross Beckerman, and Laura Purdie Salas, alongside the Southern Nevada Writing Project.
My Juicy Little Universe
Heidi Mordhorst expressed her gratitude to Susan Thomsen for inviting participation in a Poetry Friday prompt inspired by Walt Whitman’s final line, “I stop somewhere waiting for you.” Her untitled post, found here, explored the idea of waiting to fall in love with someone encountered in everyday settings.
Poetry Pop
Danna Smith‘s Poetry Pop blog tackled a common misconception about haiku this week in Haiku: More Than Just Counting Syllables!, encouraging readers to explore haiku beyond the traditional 5/7/5 structure.
Poetry for Children
Sylvia Vardell shared a unique Poetry (Dress) Giveaway, offering pieces from her handmade “poetry wardrobe” to readers willing to share a photo or creative reuse of the fabric.
Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme
Matt Forrest Esenwine celebrated a personal poetry milestone in Poetry Friday: More student poetry (MY student, that is!), sharing his daughter’s astropoem and details about his books and author visits.
Reflections on the Teche
Margaret Simon reflected on poetry and art this week in several posts, including Poetry Friday: A Dark Night, This Photo Wants to be a Poem: Oil Spill Quilt, and Slice of Life: Hometown.
Shaun Jex
Shaun Jex offered a delightful post, Hiss and Tell: Valentines for Animals, encouraging poets to write love poems about animals and sharing examples by Jack Prelutsky and Edward Lear.
Steam Powered Poetry
And finally, Heidi B. Roemer‘s Steam Powered Poetry featured Wee Steamers: The Moon, inviting young readers to learn about lunar phases and sunlight.
That’s all for this time! See you next week with lots more children’s poetry goodness!
- Weekly Children’s Poetry Roundup – Saturday, February 21, 2026 - February 21, 2026
- Have You Ever Been to England? - February 17, 2026
- Weekly Children’s Poetry Roundup – Saturday, February 14, 2026 - February 14, 2026
