Hello, fellow poetry lovers, teachers, and wordsmiths! It is that wonderful time of the week again for our weekly Children’s Poetry Blog Post Roundup. We have a delightful collection of news, poetic prompts, teaching guides, and award-winning announcements to share from the past week. Whether you are searching for a new classroom activity or simply a quiet moment of inspiration, there is plenty of verse to go around, so let us take a friendly stroll through the latest updates from our community.
Children’s Poetry Summit
The Children’s Poetry Summit brought exciting news from across the pond this week regarding a very special award. In Children’s Poetry Summit: Blog will post at 3:05 with this Year’s CLiPPA Winner!, the site shared the impressive shortlist for the 2026 CLiPPA award and introduced the stellar judging panel, which included Nicola Davies, Colette Hiller, Jake Hope, Lisa Mead, and Anjali Patel. Shortly after, they celebrated the big announcement in CLiPPA: The CLPE Poetry Award 2026 Winner, revealing that the legendary John Agard has made history by winning the prestigious award for an unprecedented third time with his delightful collection, The Poetry World of John Agard, illustrated by Shirley Hottier. The shortlist also featured wonderful writers such as Sam Gayton, Simon Mole, Sean Taylor, and Traci N. Todd.
David L. Harrison
The prolific David L. Harrison had a busy week filled with poetry, prompts, and publications. In Looking for a prompt, he shared his thoughts on how light, shadows, and our daily surroundings can spark wonderful writing ideas. He also celebrated upcoming releases, noting in Phonics Handbook Poetry Collection featured by Kathy Temean that Kathy Temean is hosting a giveaway for his and Mary Jo Fresch‘s companion volume, while The Phonics Handbook Poetry Collection out on July 22 reminds readers that this fantastic resource is just around the corner. On a more playful note, he introduced a fun shadow-inspired poem in The vanishing bonxa. He also shared global successes in South Korean edition of A Tree is a Community, discussing a new animated e-book translation of his work with Kate Cosgrove, and looked to the future in New work on new book. Hooray!, where he announced an upcoming non-fiction collaboration for older grades with educator Laura Robb.
DreamBeast Poems
Over at DreamBeast Poems, Mark Bird shared both heartfelt and humorous verses. In A Fabulous Freak: A Poem About Being Different and Finding Your Power, he offers a poem that encourages young readers to find strength in their unique qualities. Shifting to a lighter, spookier tone, he revealed the hilarious real-life inspiration behind a festive poem in Halloween Date From Hell: The Story Behind My Funny Halloween Poem.
Joshua Seigal
Joshua Seigal treated readers to two very different, thought-provoking poems. His playful side shines in Cats and Cats and Cats!, a fun, repetitive poem about demanding a book dedicated strictly to felines. Taking a more serious turn, Is It Safe Yet? explores the modern anxiety of checking the news constantly, reflecting on how taking a break from the screen can bring a small but vital sense of relief.
Kate Williams
Poet Kate Williams inspired her audience with nature this week. In her simple and graceful post Birds in Flight Poems, she shared a collection of verses that celebrate the beauty and motion of our feathered friends in the sky.
Live Your Poem
Irene Latham took to her blog for a Poetry Friday update in dragon cloud haiku. In this post, she shared her excitement for an upcoming teaching trip to Chicago with Charles Waters for a Poetry Foundation summit, while also leaving readers with a lovely, short, dragon-themed haiku perfect for a summer afternoon.
Michelle Schaub Writes
Teacher and poet Michelle Schaub announced a wonderful professional development opportunity in Poetry Foundation Summer Poetry Teachers Institute. She shares her excitement about serving as a session leader for the institute, hosting a virtual workshop titled Making Time for Poetry that will offer easy and engaging ways to bring verse into the classroom.
Poetry Pop
For educators and young writers looking to learn a fun new poetic form, Danna Smith came to the rescue on her blog. In Create Hilarious Limericks: Tips and Worksheet, she teaches the bouncy, horse-gallop rhythm of limericks and shares a helpful, free downloadable worksheet to guide students through writing their own.
Reflections on the Teche
Margaret Simon reflected on life, literature, and family in a series of thoughtful updates this week. In Poetry Friday: Dead Tree is Alive, she shares a draft poem inspired by a monthly prompt from Georgia Heard about a freeze-damaged satsuma tree that has found new life. Earlier in the week, she celebrated a family gathering in Slice of Life: Birthday Twins, describing a poolside birthday celebration for two very special relatives. Finally, in Spiritual Thursday: The Book of Longings, she reflected on Sue Monk Kidd‘s historical novel and the profound power of wanting to be heard.
Salt City Verse
On Salt City Verse, Janice Scully shared a scenic and thoughtful post titled RUNNER AT GREEN LAKES STATE PARK. This Poetry Friday post features a book recommendation for Megan Freeman‘s novel Away, combined with a lovely short poem about the mindful, sensory experience of running through nature.
Shaun Jex
Shaun Jex offered some fabulous poetry lessons that teachers can easily bring into their classrooms. In How to Write a Very Pun-y Poem, he explores the delightful world of wordplay and food-related jokes, complete with creative writing prompts. He followed this with The Bear King: Understanding Rhyme Scheme, where he returned after a short break to dissect rhyme schemes using a poem from his own book.
The Poem Farm
Over at The Poem Farm, Amy Ludwig VanDerwater reflected on how sweet, everyday moments can become lasting treasures in Write about a Prize…and a Peek!. Inspired by a simple roadside stop for blackberry hand pies, she encourages readers to turn memory prizes into poetry and shares beautiful ekphrastic writing created alongside second-grade students.
- Weekly Children’s Poetry Roundup – Saturday, July 11, 2026 - July 11, 2026
- Weekly Children’s Poetry Roundup – Saturday, July 4, 2026 - July 4, 2026
- Weekly Children’s Poetry Roundup – Saturday, June 27, 2026 - June 27, 2026
