Overview

Best Poetry Books
The NCTE Committee on Excellence in Poetry for Children is charged with “exploring ways to acquaint teachers and children with poetry.”  One way of doing that is to highlight the wonderful poetry being published for children each year, calling attention to new titles and new poets that children are sure to enjoy.  Thus, the 2003-2006 Committee has highlighted some of the best poetry books published during their three-year tenure.  Read "Best Poetry Books for Children 2003-2006" in Language Arts, Volume 84, Number 6, July, 2007.   (PDF)

Book Collection
A collection of poetry books of all winners of the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children, past and future, is sustained and preserved at the University of Minnesota Children's Literature Research Collections (CLRC) / Kerlan Collection at the Andersen Library.

Award
The award is presented by the Poetry Committee Chair every three years during the Books for Children Luncheon at the NCTE Annual Convention in November.  The winner receives a plaque, a complementary ticket to the Books for Children Luncheon, and an invitation to be the featured speaker at a special Poetry Award session
 
Criteria

• Literary Merit (art and craft of aggregate work)
  Imagination, authenticity of voice, evidence of a strong persona, and universality/timelessness are essential. In short, we're looking for a poet who can write clean, spare lines; use language and form in fresh ways; surprise the reader by using syntax artistically; excite the reader's imagination with keen perceptions and sharp images; touch the reader's emotions.  A maker of word events is what we're looking for.
• Poet's Contributions
  Aggregate work, evident potential for growth and evolution in terms of craft, and excellence are considered.
• Evolution of the Poet's Work
  Technical and artistic development as evidenced in the poetry, evidence of risk, change, and artistic stamina, and evidence of different styles and modes of expression are considered.
• Appeal to Children
  Although the appeal to children of a poet's work is an important consideration, the art and craft must be the primary criterion for evaluation.  Evidence of students' excitement for the poetry and evidence of childlike quality, yet poem's potential for stirring fresh insights and feelings should be apparent.