We've teamed up with Puffin Books to launch a poetry competition for children with amazing prizes to be won and a panel of incredible judges to select children's winning entries!
As the days lengthen and we welcome Spring we are asking children to think about the colours, sights, smells, feelings and memories that spring to mind in an exciting new creative poetry competition exploring the theme of Spring and colour.
What makes leaves green, the sky blue and do you get rainbows in space?
To coincide with the publication of astronomer Dr Sheila Kanani’s book ‘Can You Get Rainbows in Space?’ we've launched a poetry and creative writing competition for 6-12 year olds with Puffin Books. Sheila’s brilliant new book is a fascinating look at colour here on earth and in space and is brimming with amazing facts and science.
The book answers questions like how animals can glow at night, why our veins look blue but our blood red and why leaves change colour in autumn. As we emerge from grey winter months and look forward to all the colour that the sunnier seasons bring, we hope this competition will encourage children to think about the science behind the change in seasons and the colour we see emerging around us and consider how astronomy informs our seasons.
Competition Details
We are asking children to write a poem or a short piece of creative writing (max 300 words) about the changes we see in spring. Perhaps they will take inspiration from the renewal of life and colour here on earth or maybe their imagination will point them in the direction of the stars and the solar system.
We are asking children to write a poem or a short piece of creative writing (max 300 words) about the changes we see in spring. Perhaps they will take inspiration from the renewal of life and colour here on earth or maybe their imagination will point them in the direction of the stars and the solar system.
We want to know what you see, how Spring makes you feel and why? What do these changes in the season evoke and inspire for you? They can be fun or serious but most importantly we want them to express your thoughts and feelings.
Poems or pieces of writing should be accompanied by some illustrative or design element, from a decorative border or illustration inspired by old almanacs to something graphic incorporated into the words. The sky's the limit in terms of your creativity here!
The competition is open to 6-12 year olds from anywhere in the world and we're asking for all entries to be submitted by the Monday 22 May 2023.
Prizes in each category
Winning prizes in two categories 6-9 years and 9-12 years
- A Space Above the Ground Forivor Duvet set with book and suitcase (RRP £179)
- Forivor Cosmology cushion (£62)
- A Space Above the Ground Forivor Duvet set with book and suitcase (RRP £179)
- Forivor Cosmology cushion (£62)
- Can You Get Rainbows in Space? Book signed by Dr Sheila Kanani
- £50 National Book vouchers (prize gifted by Puffin Books)
- £50 National Book vouchers (prize gifted by Puffin Books)
We are also over the moon to announce that Sheila will be reading out the winning entries at the Hay Festival at an event about her book. What a brilliant opportunity to get your poem out there!
Judges
We are delighted to have the following judges selecting the winning entries.
Erik Madigan Heck
Colour and nature become two of the most powerful forces in the visionary work of internationally acclaimed artist and photographer Erik Madigan Heck. Erik is a regular contributor to The New York Times Magazine, TIME, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and Harper's Bazaar amongst others and he has photographed some of the world's most recognisable faces including Biden, Adele and Messi.
Greta Bellamacina
Greta is a poet, actress, mother and a model as well as co-founder of poetry publishing company New River Press with her husband the artist Robert Montgomery. She was shortlisted for Young Poet Laureate 2014. Her latest poetry collection is called "Tomorrow's Woman".
Greta is a poet, actress, mother and a model as well as co-founder of poetry publishing company New River Press with her husband the artist Robert Montgomery. She was shortlisted for Young Poet Laureate 2014. Her latest poetry collection is called "Tomorrow's Woman".
Edward Bulmer
Founder of Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, interior designer, eco-warrior, architectural historian, farmer and a father, Edward lives and works not far from Forivor on the beautiful Welsh borders. His range of earth and human friendly paints are absolutely beautiful and make him the perfect person to help us judge the colour competition, something he is passionate about!
Founder of Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, interior designer, eco-warrior, architectural historian, farmer and a father, Edward lives and works not far from Forivor on the beautiful Welsh borders. His range of earth and human friendly paints are absolutely beautiful and make him the perfect person to help us judge the colour competition, something he is passionate about!
Competition Resources
Visit this link for some really useful and inspiring resources which we hope can help you to think about what you'd like to write and draw and some ideas you could explore outside and in your home.
Entry & Competition details
Entries should be submitted in English by midnight (GMT) on the 8th May 2023 to info@forivor.com with title 'Spring into Colour Poetry Competition Entry'.
As well as your entry, please include your name, age and home country. By entering the competition you are agreeing for your child's poem and first name and age to be shared on social media and on the Forivor website and other relevant online platforms.
The competition deadline is Monday 22 May 2023
