In case you’ve missed it, August is Poetry Month, an initiative of the fabulous organisation Red Room Poetry,  and I have been enjoying sharing poems and posts celebrating children’s poetry especially here and on Instagram.

You might be wondering WHY we need a whole month dedicated to poetry, and I’ve got some answers for you.

1. We need a dedicated Poetry Month because poetry is awesome! Poetry is good for your heart and soul, and for your brain. In fact, studies show that reading poetry activates the brain in ways prose doesn’t.
2. However, in spite of its general awesomeness, apparently not everyone likes poetry as much as I do (which never ceases to amaze me). I think that people who don’t like poetry just haven’t found the right poetry yet, and Poetry Month increases the chance that the right poem will end up right under their nose (or at least in front of their eyes).
3. The third reason we need a special Poetry Month is that poetry is underrepresented in publishing, in bookshops and in libraries. Next time you are in a bookshop look for the poetry section. If it’s there, it is likely small. Then look for the children’s poetry section. Keep looking – and if you find one that is more than a single shelf, please let me know so I can give that shop a big shoutout. Raising the profile of poetry helps to create demand which in turn hopefully leads to more publishing and stocking of poetry.
4. We need Poetry Month because, where I live, August is bleak. As I type, it is raining outside, the wind is blowing and my little heater is not keeping me warm at all. But celebrating poetry warms me up from the inside.
5. Lastly, the world absolutely needs more poetry! We are bombarded every day with bad news – wars, division, hate, tough times. Reading poetry might not fix all of that, but it does make us better humans and adds to a hopeful future.

I could go on, but for now, five reasons seems like enough. I’m off to read some more poetry, but I would love to hear your top reason for celebrating Poetry Month.