Literature Wales release Alex Wharton’s first poem as Children’s Laureate Wales
Get to know Alex Wharton, Children’s Laureate Wales:
‘I Don’t Want to Write a Poem’
It’s safe to say that Alex has had a busy start to his laureateship. He published a new book, Doughnuts, Thieves and Chimpanzees (Firefly), in October, and will be publishing another in 2024. He has made many media appearances, including on a BBC Breakfast live broadcast to launch a 500-word competition at Llanfoist Fawr Primary School in September. He has been interviewed by the Western Mail, Buzz, and has made several appearances on radio, including being a guest on the Bronwen Lewis Show where he discussed the many benefits of writing poetry and exploring other forms of writing.
In November, Alex facilitated poetry workshops with young people from UCAN, a creative arts charity working with blind and partially sighted children and young people. Alex will also be joining the young people on stage for their concert in December. Learn more about the project on the news section.
Over the next several months, Alex will be visiting primary and comprehensive schools across Wales as part of his project called Hidden Voices. The project aims to share what Alex learnt as part of his previous work, Creative Responses, where he was commissioned by Cadw and Literature Wales to research and write about 6 key figures of Black Heritage in Wales. Alex wants to share those stories and help children and young people write poetry to express themselves creatively, but also to celebrate important people in our lives and communities.
One of Alex’s main aims this year as a Laureate is to complete a walking school tour during the summer term. Alex feels very strongly about the benefits of nature and poetry, and believes the Welsh landscape is something to cherish as it improves our well-being and inspires creativity.
To keep up to date with what Alex has been doing as Children’s Laureate Wales and to find out how you can work with Alex as Laureate, please visit his project page: Children’s Laureate Wales
We have also released a poem by Nia Morais, the Bardd Plant Cymru for 2023-2025. Bardd Plant Cymru is the Children’s Laureate Wales’ sister-project, focusing on working with Welsh-speaking children across Wales. DIscover more on the Bardd Plant Cymru page.