Transcript

MUSIC

Let's have some fun 

with things that rhyme

welcome Kids 

it's poetry time!

Hip Hip Hurray!

Welcome everyone to Kids Poetry Club with me, Little Dazzy Donuts. I’m heading into the Club for a very special event. Just over 2 months after we started our Summer competition on the topic of Home, we’re about to announce the winners. If you entered a poem or sent in your art, a massive THANK YOU from all of us at the Club. We have so enjoyed seeing all of the hundreds of entries from all around the world. To give you a taster of the wonderful poems sent in, we’ve released a few bonus episodes where kids read out their own poems. Now, the time has come to announce the winners. Whether your name is on the winner list or not, please know that we so appreciate all you did to be a part of the competition.

Queenie has been hard at work organizing the event having learned lessons from Spring awards ceremony when she probably invited a few too many animals … and an orchestra that was way too big for the space we have. I’m sure that it will all go much more smoothly this time around.

Okay, I’ve arrived at the Club. Let’s head in and see how things are going.

SOUND – door.

Queenie: Hang on a minute … could the sheep line up over here please ….. let’s have the tallest sheep at the back and the shortest sheep at the front.

Hi Queenie.

Queenie: Oh, hi Little Dazzy Donuts. We’re almost ready for you. The ceremony can start in a mo. We’re just crossing the final eyes and dotting the final tees.

That’s great news! Now, I see you’ve got quite a few sheep in here.

Queenie: Don’t worry – it’s all part of my grand plan.

So, where do the sheep fit into the grand plan?

Queenie: Oh, I’ll get to that in a minute. First, let me take you around and explain everything so you know how it’s all going to work. Let’s start over here …. This is the microphone where we’ll play the introduction music for the announcers. As you’ll recall, last time around, we used an orchestra … well, they told me that they were already booked and so couldn’t do our event, but my sense is that they probably didn’t want to do it after all of the issues we had last time with the donkeys getting into the orchestra pit … and so, as a replacement, I’ve booked Chicken. She’s going to play her saxophone.

Tenor?

Queenie: No – she’s doing it for free, plus she’s brought her entire jazz quartet. Isn’t that amazing?! Now, once Chicken has played her intro music …

Is this where the sheep come in?

Queenie: No … I’ll get to the sheep in a minute. This is where we use the phones over here to dial up the announcers.  On speed dial, I have Sammy Showers, Donna Worry, Chef Katie Currant, and Bill Ding – they’re all lined up ready to make their announcements of the Finalists and Winners.

That’s wonderful news. Now, what about the sheep?

Queenie: Don’t worry … I’ll get to the sheep. Now, as Sammy, Donna, Chef Katie, and Bill announce the Finalists, I’ll be over here on the recording system ready to play a few seconds of each poem.

This all sounds perfect. Now, is this where the sheep come in?

Queenie: You really are focused on these sheep, aren’t you. Well, it just so happens that this is precisely when the sheep come in. So, as soon as a Winner is announced, the sheep will escort you up to the stage so that you can read out the winning poem.

So, I’m escorted to the stage by sheep?

Queenie: Exactly! The sheep really wanted to play a bigger part this time around … and there are only so many parts that a sheep can play. After all, none of the sheep play the saxophone … and none know how to operate the recording system. So, they’re escorting you to the stage and are all trained ready for it.

I see they’re in tuxedos too. That must have been quite the feat.

Queenie: Yes – they all have four feet.

No – what I meant was, getting the sheep into tuxedos must have been quite the feat.

Queenie: Yes – four feet to be precise.

Okay – let’s forget about the tuxedos. Are you ready to start?

Queenie: We’re as ready as we’ll ever be! Okay … I wrote everything down in a script. Here’s yours.

Perfect …. Good luck everyone. In that case, can the Chicken Quartet please kick us off with some soothing jazz.

SOUND (Chicken counting in the music)

MUSIC

Hi everyone. Welcome to the awards ceremony for the Kids’ Poetry Club Summer 2020 competition. I’m Little Dazzy Donuts, and I’m joined here in the Club by Queenie, Chicken and her jazz quartet, a parade of sheep, and an audience of invited guests and farmyard friends. On the phones, we have four friends of the Club … the artist Bill Ding, the local weather forecaster Sammy Showers, Donna Worry from the local college, and Chef Katie Currant. Just like they do at famous awards ceremonies on television, we’re going to go through the awards by category. For each age category, we’ll review the finalists, hear a little of each poem, and announce the winners for poetry and for art. I’ll then read the winning poem for the category. You can also see all of the winners and Finalists on our website.

Okay then, Queenie, which category is up first.

Queenie: First … ummmm …. Oh, that’s the under 9s category … and it’s Donna Worry. Chicken – some soothing jazz please.

MUSIC

Queenie: Hi, Donna, are you there?

Donna: Hi Queenie – yes, I am. I am honored to be announcing the winners for the Under 9 category. As for all of the categories, there are two winners – one for poetry, and one for art. Before I open the envelope to find out who the winners are, let’s listen to a few lines of poetry from the poets who were the finalists in this category. All of them wrote such wonderful poems, and it will have been really difficult to pick a winner.

The first finalist is Jack from England with the poem “Home in Lockdown” …… 

The next finalist is Charlee from England with “There’s a Tiger In My House” …… 

Up next is Ananya from the United States with “Home In The Heart” …… 

Sofia from Scotland is up next with the poem “Safe” …

The next finalist is Maisie from England with “How to be Kind”

And the last of the finalists in this category is Aadrita from the United States with the poem “Habitation” …… 

I’ll open the envelope now to find out who has won for the Under 9 category for art and for poetry.

SOUND

Donna: Well, the first winner we have is for Art. There were so many wonderful art submissions, and the winning art came from Veer in India for a house scene at night that really captures the mood with a dramatic night sky and wonderful character to the house. You can see Veer’s winning submission together with all of the other art Finalists on our website at kidspoetryclub.com.

Now, to the poetry winner for the Under 9s. You can read all of the Finalists’ poems on the website … and, of those, I’m delighted to announce that the winner is Sofia from Scotland with her poem Safe.  Congratulations, Sofia … and I’d like to ask the sheep to escort Little Dazzy Donuts up to the stage to read Sofia’s winning poem.

At my home, it is safe.

I like it here, it is cosy and warm.

I love my mummy, and daddy, and my little brother.

I love my bed and my ubercorn teddy in my bed.

And I love my pillow that I take on holiday.

I feel happy and also a little bit sad,

because I have to stay here for a long time.

I’d like to be outside as well.

Something really weird is happening in my brain right now.

I want to be inside and outside as well at the same time.

Going out right now feels strange.

Everyone is wearing masks and at a distance.

What can I do about it?

I really want to help,

so I have to stay safe in my house.

Queenie: How fantastic! Well done to Sofia and Veer for winning the Under 9s … and thank you to all of the finalists for their great entries. I loved listening to all of your poems and seeing all of your art too. Okay, let’s see …. Who’s up next? ….. Oh yes, it’s the 9-10 year olds, and Sammy Showers. Hang on Sammy – let’s get some nice jazz music to introduce you. Over to you Maestro Chicken.

MUSIC

Queenie: Hi, Sammy, are you there?

Sammy: Hi Queenie – yes, I am. I’m loving the awards ceremony you’ve organized, and it sounds like the sheep are doing an amazing job. Okay, for the 9-10 year olds, we received a lot of entries from the United Kingdom. So, let’s listen to a few lines from the poets who were the finalists in this age group.

The first finalist is Clarissa from England with the poem “Home” …… 

Next, we have Amber from England with “My Roxy” …… 

The next finalist is Cesca from England with the poem “Home” …… 

Next, we’ll hear from Azura, who is from England, with “Home In Lockdown” …

The next finalist is Amelia from England with the poem “Grandma’s House”

Next, we’ll hear from Ava, who is from Scotland, with the poem “The Box”

The next finalist is Kieran from England, with “My Amazing Brain”

Next, we have Steren from England, with the poem “My Home”

Our second to last finalist is Betsy from England, with the poem “Home”

And our last finalist is Poppy from England, with “Topsy Turvy World”

As you can imagine, this was a really tough decision. There were so many wonderful poems in this age group, and I think they all deserved to win. Okay, I’ll open the envelope now to find out who has won in the 9-10 year old category for art and for poetry.

SOUND

Sammy: Well, the first winner we have is for Art, and the award goes to Sarah from Ireland for a lovely painting of a red building – it has a very strong composition, an excellent use of negative space, and an intriguing texture in the paint. You can see the winning submission together with all of the Finalists on our website at kidspoetryclub.com. Congratulations to Sarah. 

Now, to the poetry winner for the 9-10s. As with the Under 9s, this was a really tough decision … and the winner is Amelia from England for the poem Grandma’s House. Congratulations, Amelia … and I’d like to ask the sheep to escort Little Dazzy Donuts up to the stage to read the winning poem.

Hidden warmth in plush velvet sofas.

A garden abounding with sweet vivid flowers,

akin to the comfort of a familiar friend. 

Memories huddle over every wall.

Adventure awaits as you clamber the winding stairs,

up to the rooftop carrying swirling clouds.

A wealth of cosy rooms for hiding.

Dark burrows create distinctive dens,

guarded by a tiger with the softest purr.

While the laughter of cousins resounds from the nursery.

The razzmatazz red wardrobe is a pocket of style and fashion.

An explosion of colours, shapes and icons.

Grandma owns her own look.

Grandma’s pantry is like no other.

Piled high with Penguin Bars, Quavers and Kit Kats.

A harmony of sweet delights.

You can never feel alone at Grandmas House.

Your head is full of happiness.

Nothing is quite like Grandma.

She’s completely wonderful.

Queenie: How fantastic! I’m so excited about Sarah and Amelia winning! Ummm… I wonder if their win is deserving of a special sheep chorus of approval? Yes – I think it is. In that case, sheep, please chorus away!

SOUND

Queenie: That was SO GOOD! Okay, so, who’s up next ….. Oh yes, it’s the 11-12 year olds, and Bill Ding. Hang on Bill …. Let’s make sure you’re introduced with the smooth saxophone sounds of the Chicken Quartet.

MUSIC

Queenie: Hi, Bill, are you there?

Bill: Hi Queenie – yes, I’m here. This 11-12 year old category was definitely a challenging one. We had a lot of great art and great poems too. Before announcing the winners, let’s listen to a few lines of poetry from the poets who were the finalists in this age group.

Up first is Willow from Ireland with the poem, “What Is Home?” …..

Next, we have Ayush from England with the poem called “Home”…..

Next, we’ll hear from Alfie in England with the poem “The View From My Window” ….

Up next is Aaniyah from the United States with the poem “Dear Flower In My Room”…

Sanoja in India is next with the poem, “The Beach”.

Then we have Chloe from Australia with the poem, “Coming Home”.

Next, we hear from Veruschka in India with the poem “My Treasure Chest”.

Up next is Ashritha from the United States with the poem “My Home – Wild Florida”

Our second to last finalist is Dharshwana from Korea with the poem “Memories”.

And our last finalist is David from Australia with the poem “Home Sweet Home”.

Bill: This was a really tough age category … and so I think that all of the finalists are deserving of a lot of praise for their amazing entries. Okay, I’ll open the envelope now to find out who has won for the 11-12 year old category for art and for poetry.

SOUND

Bill: Well, the first winner we have is for Art, and the award goes to David from Australia for a wonderful assemblage of him in his garden that’s a fun creation combining multiple mediums to create a really interesting composition that’s full of texture, color, and joy. You can see the winning submission and all of the Finalists on our website at kidspoetryclub.com. Congratulations to David. 

Now, to the poetry winner for the 11-12s. I enjoyed reading all of the poems, and loved them all … but there can only be one winner, and that winner is Dharshwana from Korea for the poem Memories. Congratulations, Dharshwana … and I’d like to ask the sheep to escort Little Dazzy Donuts up to the stage to read the winning poem.

As I drive out for the last time,

I glance back at the red roof and the yellow bricks making up home.

I remember the days when I fell or stood,

the moody and gloomy days, and the sunny bright days.

Bitter sweetness thoughts clouded my head.

As we made the last turn, onto our new adventure.

I unlocked the chain, and went on free.

Queenie: Thanks, Bill … and a resounding congratulations to David and Dharshwana, and a big THANK YOU to all of the Finalists – I so loved seeing all of your poems and your art too. Well, we’re down to the final age category – which is probably good news as I think we’re pushing the concentration limits of our sheep. Is all okay over there with the flock?

SOUND

Queenie: In that case, let’s push on with the final category, which is the 13s-17s and Chef Katie Currant. Chicken, do you have a few notes of introduction for Chef Katie?

MUSIC

Queenie: Are you there Chef Katie?

Katie: Hi Queenie – yes, I’m here. This is so much fun. Thank you for organizing this for everyone. With the 13-17 year old category, we had some amazing poetry and art too. Let’s listen to a few lines of poetry from each of the Finalists.

Up first is Natasha from England with the poem, “I’m Not Me” …..

Next, we have Suhani from India with “My Home”…..

Diya in India is up next with the poem “Birds At Dawn” ….

Up next is Cienna from the United States with the poem “Death’s Cigarettes”…

Next, we’ll hear from Naomi in England with the poem, “The Clock”.

Next, we hear from Alice in Wales with the poem “Home”.

Up next is Keelin from Ireland with the poem “The Keys to Happiness”.

Our second to last finalist is Akubueze from Nigeria with the poem “Do You Know?”

And our last finalist is Natalia in the United States with the poem “Girl on the T.V.”.

Okay, let’s open up the envelope to find out who has won!

SOUND

Katie: Well, the first winner we have is for Art, and the award goes to Natalia from the United States for a timely portrait that draws you into the subject with a strong perspective and a sense of hope. You can see the winning submission and the other Finalists on our website at kidspoetryclub.com. Congratulations to Natalia. 

Now, to the poetry winner for the 13s-17s. This was such a challenging category to judge … and so I hope that all of the finalists feel like winners! In the end, the winner is….  Akubueze from Nigeria for the poem Do You Know?. Congratulations, Akubueze … and I’d like to ask the sheep to escort Little Dazzy Donuts up to the stage to read the winning poem.

Do you know the home has been OK

since the day that you left?

No fighting amongst siblings.

The home has been OK,

and OK has been the home.

Do you know the home has been more fun

since they day you left?

Everyone is co-operating.

The home has been more fun,

and more fun has been the home.

Do you know the home has been filled with joy

since the day you left?

No one cry, let alone weep.

The home has been filled with joy,

and filled with joy has been the home.

It is all a lie,

all I have said.

The home has not been OK

since the day you left.

Just problem upon problem.

The home has not been more fun

since the day you left.

Just a complete boredom.

The home has not been filled with joy

since the day you left.

Just sad and sorrowful.

The home is a complete disaster

since the day you left, Mum.

You left leaving a big vacuum

with no one to fill it in.

The home has not been like it used to,

and it has not even been like a home, Mum.

RIP MUM

Queenie: A big CONGRATULATIONS to Natalia and to Akubueze – what a lovely piece of art and a really powerful and touching poem. So, who’s up next? Oh my gosh – that was the final category. Oh no!!!!!! I’ve been dreading that we’d come to the end of the Summer competition. It has been so much fun.

It has Queenie. Still, all good things must come to an end. Fortunately, our Autumn/Fall competition will kick off in a couple of weeks, and so we won’t have to wait long before we’re receiving more amazing poetry and art – it’s going to be such a great topic too. But, before we think about Autumn, let’s wrap up the Summer competition. First, I want to say a big THANK YOU to the hundreds of people who entered the competition from all around the world. We received entries from 14 different countries, and that was simply amazing. It was so wonderful to see your work, and I really hope that you’ll enter our next competition. Keep listening to Kids’ Poetry Club or sign up to our newsletter at our website to make sure you don’t miss the announcement. Also, congratulations to all of the finalists and winners – you can see all of their poems and art at kidspoetryclub.com. It makes for a very impressive collection. Finally, thank you for listening. I hope you enjoyed the episode … and hope you’ll be back next week when we have a normal episode.

As always, let's finish with our short goodbye poem:

We've had some fun 

with things that rhymed

goodbye Kids 

until next time!

On behalf of all of us here at Kids’ Poetry Club, this is Little Dazzy Donuts saying .... keep rhyming!!!

Queenie: Okay, Chicken Quartet – could you play some calming jazz music please? Now, could all of the sheep please take off their tuxedos, fold them up, and put them on the table in the corner? Everyone else, thank you for coming … please feel free to pick up a souvenir brochure on your way out. The exit is at the back … and, as you leave, please make sure you don’t step in whatever someone left on the floor by the back row. Thank you! So, does anyone know where the mop and bucket are?