NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children Selection Committee
Function: To recommend on a regular basis every three years beginning in 1985 a living American poet to the NCTE Executive Committee for the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children in recognition of his or her aggregate work; to sustain the collection of poetry books of award winners, past and future, in the University of Minnesota, Kerlan Collection; to recognize and foster excellence in children's poetry by encouraging its publication; and to explore ways to acquaint teachers and children with poetry through such means as publications, programs, and displays.
What major actions or projects have been completed by your group since July 1, 2005?
The NCTE Poetry Committee met on Friday, November 18, 2005 from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. at the Hilton Hotel during the NCTE National Convention in Pittsburgh. Plans were discussed for future annual articles to be written for Language Arts listing currently published outstanding poetry books for children. In-coming Language Arts editor Barbara Kiefer has approved the idea.
The major business of the committee was to select Nikki Grimes as the 2006 winner of the Excellence in Poetry for Children Award. Nikki Grimes was notified that evening and her name was announced on Saturday, November 19, 2005, at the Books for Children Luncheon by Peggy Oxley and Sylvia Vardell, committee co-chairs. The news was received enthusiastically by everyone.
The committee also sponsored a convention session called “Finding Common Ground: Poets, Editors and Publishers Share Perspectives” on Saturday, November 19, 2005, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Peggy Oxley and Sylvia Vardell co-chaired the event which filled the room to capacity.
What projects, initiatives, or studies are “in progress” at this time?
The current committee has made plans to meet with the in-coming committee in Nashville at the NCTE Convention on Friday, November 17, 2006, from 4:00-5:15 p.m. Plans continue for the writing of an annual Language Arts article on outstanding new poetry books for children.
On April 28, 2006, Sylvia Vardell and Peggy Oxley met with Nikki Grimes in Houston to interview her for a future Language Arts profile article. They will also present her with the Excellence in Poetry for Children Award on Saturday, November 18, 2006, at the Books for Children Luncheon at the NCTE Convention in Nashville. Preceding the luncheon, Nikki Grimes will be the speaker at the Poetry Committee’s session on Friday, November 17, 2006, from 9:30-10:45 a.m. The session is titled “The Compleat Poet: NCTE Poetry Award Winner Nikki Grimes.”
Peggy Oxley and Sylvia Vardell, Co-Chairs
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