One whinge you hear fairly regularly from children’s poets is that bookshops stock very little children’s poetry, coupled with the fact that larger chains have been known to create a curious hybrid category ‘Poetry and Joke Books’. Oof. To be fair, the covers of some children’s poetry books can look like joke books (and have hyperbolic titles), even if the contents are a wide blend of forms and voices. Until recently, when shops have actually stocked children’s poetry, it’s tended to be a Spike Milligan ‘best of’ or a couple of generic anthologies. But I think the situation is changing. I’ve seen a greater variety in some bookshops, and single poet collections too.
When I started out as a children’s poet, visiting Primary schools some 20+ years ago, there was a fair bit of antipathy towards poetry. Teachers confessed to finding poetry ‘difficult’ and ‘scary’. When I was selling books after a day in one school a parent whisked her child away saying ‘come on darling, let’s get you a proper book’. Ouch. But as regards teachers there has been a gradual and fundamental sea change, in part thanks to the innovations of Talk for Writing and the CLPE.
Nowadays teachers email me informing me how much they relish doing poetry with their classes, and how much their children love reading, writing and performing the good stuff. You only need to look on Twitter to see evidence of this. Some teachers confess that they don’t like poetry themselves, but their class does and that’s what matters. Hallelujah! Not only is poetry prominent in the National Curriculum nowadays, but I’ve seen teachers doing it with great gusto. And in Secondary schools too, spoken word events have become popular.
Returning to bookshops, I would guess that poetry probably doesn’t sell in great quantities – maybe more online? – hence it isn’t stocked. The bigger cultural issue here is that poetry is a minority sport. How many of your adult friends actively read poetry? Few, I’m sure. How many poetry books have featured on BBC2’s excellent book programme Between The Covers? One title in six series. Hmm. And though in the main, Primary children and many teachers may enjoy it now, I would argue most adults never read any poetry. There’s the rub. If adults aren’t appreciating poetry, they probably won’t be buying it for their children.
Why such reluctance? I’d argue a major contributor is the compulsory GCSE poetry anthology that all students have to study in Year 11. However good our Secondary teachers are – and they’re miracle workers as far as I can see – a great many people dislike deconstructing poetry. End of. I believe that’s where the disinterest/rot sets in. What say we make the anthology optional?
And though the likes of Brian Bilston are gathering audiences that wouldn’t normally read the stuff, poetry for adults will to a degree always be niche. Moreover, I’d argue that many would rather watch poetry as a live medium rather than read it.
Sorry to repeat myself, but what we need is a Children’s Poet Laureate – to raise the profile and actively promote poetry. One that is happy to talk to teachers, parents, the media, to be child-focussed, be actively visiting schools, bookshops and festivals.
Personally, I want to see our books not only in shops, but actively read in the home – for poetry does not just belong in the classroom. What’s more, it can do things that prose fiction and non-fiction can’t. It gives intense bursts of musical, magical language that’s full of playful, humorous, reflective and philosophical insights. Plus it regularly switches on reluctant young readers/writers. Getting books into shops is part of this, but getting parents actively buying poetry books for their children is – for me – what we need to be working on next. Thoughts, everyone?
James Carter
James Carter is a prize-winning children’s poet, non-fiction writer and musician. An ambassador for National Poetry Day, he travels all over the UK with his melodica (that’s Steve) to give lively poetry/music performances/workshops which are ultimately ALL ABOUT THE WRITING! www.jamescarterpoet.co.uk
Children's Poetry Summit 
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