Poetry Contest and Challenge for National Poetry Month!

April is National Poetry Month, and we here at Redeemed Reader love to be in on any literary action. Therefore, Megan and I are sponsoring a children’s poetry contest! (Note: there will be prizes!) [Incidentally, I won the last Redeemed Reader Poetry Contest and have enjoyed my Notes From a Tilt-a-Whirl prize.]

We are also going to invite you to a challenge. 

Children’s Poetry Contest Details:

Open to all children through age 18. Submissions may be emailed to Megan (megan@redeemedreader.com) or Betsy (betsy@redeemedreader.com) through April 30th (midnight EST). One submission per child, please! Include first name of child and child’s age with submission. Remember: poetry does not have to rhyme! We are recommending the following subjects:

Up through age 6: Shapes or Colors (poem might be about something that is a prominent color, just wax eloquent on the merits of a particular shape, a haiku on the rainbow, ….)

Ages 7-11: Creation (any aspect: stars, a favorite animal, weather, …)

Ages 12-18: a Fruit of the Spirit (i.e. a love poem, an ode to something that brings the poet joy, a meditation on the long-suffering demanded in a given sport, …)

We’re looking forward to seeing your children’s poetic works. First prize in each category will win a book! Stay tuned for some poetry inspiration: Megan and I will be reviewing some favorite works of children’s poetry here this week. We also plan to post some favorite children’s poems throughout the month on the Redeemed Reader facebook page!

And now, for our challenge.

For the readers who don’t know us, Megan and I cherish our tea times. We have tea with our children frequently, and we’d like to encourage you to join us this month. Specifically, we’d like to invite you to have a few “poe-teas” with your children: a teatime together in which you and your child(ren) read a favorite poem together. Teatime can be quite simple: graham crackers with Nutella on top and a cup of ordinary black tea with milk and sugar are heaven to many young children (and their moms). In fact, the British call tea with lots of milk and sugar in it “baby tea” because that’s what the young children drink! For more teatime ideas, see our Literaritea “Afternoon Tea” Pinterest board.

We’re looking forward to seeing original poetry and sharing a (virtual) cup of tea! While you wait for poetry posts this week, check out the earlier poetry reviews and recommendations here on Redeemed Reader: Twisting Mother Goose, Cowboys and Other Guy Stuff (Poems by David Harrison–see a Harrison Interview here!), and Step Gently Out.

What poetry books or afternoon tea traditions would YOU like to share with us? We love new ideas!!