Chrissie Gittins writes poetry for children and for adults. She is a trained and experienced teacher and has worked as a poet in schools, libraries and prisons for over ten years. She is happy to work with all key stages, all ability ranges and with adults; she reads at festivals and arts centers and is part of the Poetry Society's poetryclass training team for teachers. Chrissie was Poet-in-Residence with 'gifted and talented' pupils in twelve Southwark primary schools 2002/3, with Croydon Libraries 2003/4 and in 2005 she toured ten isolated primary and secondary schools on the western seaboard of the Highlands.

Chrissie's children's poetry collection Now You See Me, Now You … (Rabbit Hole, 2002) was shortlisted for the first CLPE Poetry Award in 2003. Her children's poems are anthologized in twenty-one Macmillan, Pearson Education and Hodder Wayland anthologies. Two of her children's poems won prizes in the 2002 Belmont Poetry Prize for single children's poems. Her second children's poetry collection I Don't Want an Avocado for an Uncle (Rabbit Hole, 2006) is the Poetry Book Society's single poet collection 'Choice' for the Children's Poetry Bookshelf, Autumn Term 2006; it was also short listed for the 2007 CLPE Award.

Chrissie's collection of adult poems Armature (Arc 2003) was very well received. She has given poetry workshops at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, Keats House Hampstead, the Poetry Library, and she has tutored for the Arvon Foundation. She has read at the Royal Festival Hall Voice Box, the Poets House New York and the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival.

Chrissie also writes radio drama and short stories. Her plays for BBC R4 include Starved for Love, Life Assurance and Dinner in the Iguanodon. Her short stories have been broadcast and anthologized and her first collection Family Connections (Salt Publishing, 2007) has been reviewed in The Guardian.

Responses to Chrissie’s visits to schools:

'The work with the children was very well planned and paced and kept all the stages of children enthusiastic and involved'

Catriona McCowan, Head Teacher Applecross Primary School.

‘One of the best events we’ve ever held’

Stephanie Bryant, children’s buyer

'We are enjoying your book. Please come back and see us anytime.'

Jane Fairley and P1-4, Kyleakin Primary School

‘The children have been talking to me with affection about the afternoon Chrissie spent with us. They are quite discerning in their evaluation of the quality of their experiences. I have yet to hear a negative comment from them – they thoroughly enjoyed the way Chrissie brought her poetry, which appealed greatly, to life. Teachers were also quick to praise the quality of her poetry and presentation and have worked with their classes to produce a wealth of poems in the ‘Chrissie Gittins’ style.’

Anthony Sutcliffe, Headteacher

‘I would like to keep in touch with you, as finding someone who can tap into our pupils’ huge range of ability and needs so readily, and with obvious enjoyment, is rare.’

Sheila Bachelor and all the pupils who participated in your lively workshops

Responses to Chrissie’s book I Don't Want an Avocado for an Uncle:

'A lot of ripe good one'

John Hegley

'Chrissie Gittins knows just what words can do: she makes them dance, sing, sit still for a moment and then leap across the page with joy'

Ian McMillan

Responses to Chrissie’s book Armature:

'A true original … she has a genuine gift'

Jane Yeh, Poetry Review, 2004.

 

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