The shortlist for the CLPE Poetry Award was announced on 15th May. The titles are

Chrissie Gittins: I Don’t Want an Avocado for an Uncle, illustrated by Kev Adamson, Rabbit Hole Publications

Julie Johnstone (editor): The Thing That Mattered Most. Scottish Poems for Children, illustrated by Iain McIntosh, Scottish PoetryLibrary/Black & White Publishing

Tony Mitton: My Hat and All That, illustrated by Sue Heap, Corgi

Gaby Morgan (editor): Fairy Poems, illustrated by Matilda Harrison, Macmillan

Jackie Morris (compiler and illustrator): The Barefoot Book of Classic Poems, Barefoot Books

John Siddique: Don’t Wear It On Your Head, Don’t Stick It Down Your Pants, Peepal Tree Press

The judges  of the award for 2007 are Ian McMillan and Fiona Waters, and the judging panel is chaired by Margaret Meek Spencer.

Speaking for the judges Fiona Water said,‘The shortlist for the CLPE Poetry Award 2007 is a very strong one. These titles stood out immediately and we were very impressed by the high standard of both the content and presentation in all six; books to get excited about, unlike so many of those submitted.’

The winner of the 2007 Award will be announced at a ceremony at CLPE on Wednesday June 13th 2007.