The contest is organized by The Caterpillar, a quarterly print magazine for children featuring poetry, short stories and art. The prize is for an unpublished poem written by an adult for children aged 7–11.
The poem can be on any subject. There is a line limit of 150. Entries must be entirely the work of the entrant and must never have been published, self-published, published online or broadcast.
The Caterpillar Poetry Prize is an annual prize for an unpublished poem written by an adult for children aged 7–11.
Every year since 2015, The Caterpillar Poetry Prize has been awarded to a single poem by a single judge – among them John Hegley, Chrissie Gittins, Roger McGough and Michael Morpurgo.
Previous winners include Louise Greig, Coral Rumble, Laura Mucha and Christine McBeth .
‘Please remember that the competition is simply to spur you on to write, to find your own voice as a writer. Keep writing, keep reading, and you will discover the power of your own voice. And that’s important.’ Michael Morpurgo
‘I was astonished and delighted to hear that I had won The Caterpillar Poetry Prize.’ Christine McBeth
‘I am a huge fan of The Caterpillar and was delighted and inspired by the competition.’ Louise Greig
‘The Caterpillar is such a unique and inspired magazine. Winning The Caterpillar Poetry Prize is all shades of wonderful!’ Coral Rumble
‘I think The Caterpillar Poetry Prize is an important award, particularly as there are so few outlets for children’s poets, and it’s a huge honour to have won it.’ Laura Mucha
‘I think The Caterpillar Poetry Prize is an important award, particularly as there are so few outlets for children’s poets, and it’s a huge honour to have won it.’ Laura Mucha
‘Like all of us, I spend more of my life than I’d like to reading emails. Recently I opened one from The Caterpillar. Now all I want to do is write something that could make a reader feel half as happy as reading that email made me.’ Fergal McNally
Awards:- The prize is €1,000 plus publication in the summer issue of The Caterpillar.
Deadline:- 31-03-2022
