Connor Allen was appointed as Children’s Laureate Wales following a successful call-out in May 2021. Connor’s appointment was announced on National Poetry Day 2021, an annual UK-wide celebration that encourages all to enjoy, discover and share poetry. The celebration’s goals happily reflect Connor’s vision for the next two years, as he works towards making poetry accessible, fun, and relevant to children and young people across Wales.
Empowering young audiences through creative expression will be Connor’s priority over the next two years. By introducing poetry as an accessible creative outlet, he hopes to help children and young people unlock their potential, better understand their place in the world, and ultimately take ownership of their futures.
Connor Allen said: “I grew up on a Council Estate in Newport, and poetry and the arts were always seen as a big, giant mammoth high above us… The opportunity to demystify poetry and present it as a simple expression of how you feel is one of the key reasons I wanted to be Children’s Laureate Wales.”
Founded by Literature Wales in 2019, Children’s Laureate Wales is a national ambassadorial role awarded every two years to a talented and visionary Wales-based writer who is passionate about ensuring more children and young people discover the joy and well-being benefits of participating in literature.
Connor is the second to be appointed to the role, and will follow in Pembrokeshire-based children’s author, Eloise Williams’ footsteps.
