CLiPPA 2018 winner announced

July 10th 2018

Hip Hop artist and debut poet Karl Nova has been announced as the winner of CLiPPA 2018 (Centre for Literacy in Primary Poetry Award).

Grace Nichols, Poet and Chair of the CLiPPA 2018 judges praised the winning book: “This book really stood out for me with its refreshing use of the rap genre, its musicality, its immediacy and thoughtful reflections on the creative process. Karl Nova's poems ring true with a sincere charm that children and young people can relate to and that may inspire their own writing.”

Rhythm and Poetry is Karl’s first published book, with his poems being drawn from his extensive work as a poetry educator and the many workshops he holds in schools. It has a refreshing directness, honesty and authenticity which encourages children to see poetry in the everyday, explores the musicality of poetry and demonstrates the currency and significance of rap as an art form, especially for young people.

Karl’s win comes at a time when poetry is being embraced into the mainstream; a popularity echoed in children’s poetry, and the raised profile of CLiPPA. The award is the flagship event in CLPE’s year-round championing of poetry.

Rising Stars by Ruth Awolola, Victoria Adukwei Bulley, Abigail Cook, Jay Hulme and Amina Jama, published by Otter-Barry Books, was awarded highly commended.

Click here to order the winning title.

If you use Junior Librarian or Eclipse, please visit the bookshop on your library management system.