I love walking into bookshops and asking staff to direct me to the children’s poetry section. I rarely get an immediate or accurate response; they have to think for some time before replying, ask a colleague or simply fess up and say that they have no idea.

Children’s poets will know that chains such as Waterstones (well, there really aren’t any others) and many smaller stores hide their poetry books by/in the ‘fairy tales’ or ‘jokes’ sections. And that's no joke at all.

I realise the popularity of poetry is never going to overtake that of the 'chapter book'/children's novel, but if its hidden from sight the chances of its fanbase increasing will be extremely limited.

I was recently speaking to a librarian colleague from a well-known London public library who said that poetry books are not usually that sought after by her customers BUT if she makes a highly visible display of one or a number of poetry books they are speedily snapped up. I sadly can’t recall the last time I saw such a display in any bookshop.

Of course I have a vested interest in championing poetry but I’ve no doubt that if bookshops understood the huge impact poetry can have on developing literacy and a love of reading in children they’d promote poetry much more. Teachers who have introduced poetry into their classes will be very aware of its positive effect, especially on those children who find reading and writing more challenging (see my other blogs).

And it’s not just a question of where poetry books are placed on the shelves but also the mix of books they have. Too many shops stock only the more predictable large, unwieldy and expensive hardback mixed anthologies or classic poetry rather than a diverse range of new and older poetry books by well and lesser-known poets covering a wide range of topics.

But how do we get this message across to bookshops? I’m asking all poets and poetry enthusiasts to talk to bookshop staff when visiting stores and explain to them the power of poetry. Independent bookshops are often especially receptive although chains can be too: Both Foyles (their flagship store in Charing X Road) and Islington Waterstones have rearranged, relabelled and revamped their poetry collections following my conversations with them, and other indie bookshops have listened too.

So please - start your conversation with bookshops today!

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