On 18th September 2006, children from all over the country were encouraged to pick up their pens, unlock their creativity and get rhyming - and all for a good cause! Pound a Poem is a brand new idea combining learning and creativity with a fundraising initiative. It has invited children to learn about healthy eating while simultaneously raising money for Cancer Research UK. Kids aged between seven and eleven years old have been asked to write a poem about a fruit or vegetable and then pay a pound to enter it into the competition, with all money raised going towards research into children's cancers. No sooner was it launched, then the scheme attracted masses of media attention and, as it picked up pace, high-profile celebrities and politicians began to get involved with endorsements, with some even turning their hand to becoming poets themselves. Amongst some of the celebrities to have given their support to "Pound a Poem" are Maureen Lipman, Jacqueline Wilson, Eastenders actress Tracy-Ann Oberman and Children's TV presenters Dick and Dom. "Pound a Poem" has also inspired praise from both Prime Minister Tony Blair and Tory leader David Cameron.
This gem of a book contains all the competition finalists' poems and showcases the most imaginative and creative thoughts from children in the UK. In addition, our celebrity supporters have also taken time out of their busy schedules to come up with some wonderful and diverse poetry. Some will make you laugh out loud, others will make you pause for thought, but all of them will bring a smile to your face.