Shorelines and shipwrecks: The Children’s Laureate Wales Walking Tour of Anglesey

Travelling on foot from Moelfre to Holyhead between 12 – 17 May, Alex will visit six primary schools and a library along the way. Alex will run a mixture of whole school assemblies and creative writing workshops with Year 5 and 6 learners. Activities will be themed on the historical and cultural heritage of their respective coastal villages, rooting the children in their locality and in the stories that have shaped the shoreline. Like the drovers of old, he will share and pass on the stories gathered along his walk.

This project will see over 350 learners engage in creative activities with a world-class children’s poet and inspirational creative facilitator. As a result of this project, each child taking part in workshops will write a poem and have the opportunity to perform their work. It is hoped that children will become more inspired to read and write in school and in their own time, and that teachers will pick up new ideas of how to bring creative writing into their lesson plans.

This will be Alex Wharton’s second walking tour during his tenure as Children’s Laureate Wales. In June 2024, Alex walked 50 miles from his hometown Pontypool to Talgarth, delivering workshops and assemblies to over 530 learners at schools. As a legacy to the tour and Laureateship, Alex planted 3 Oak trees in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.

Alex has documented the journey in his forthcoming BBC Radio Wales documentary Poetry, People and Place coming out on May 9th.

Alex Wharton, Children’s Laureate Wales says: “I am passionate about the natural world and our duty to protect it. I am deeply interested in how literature inspires and connects us, and how the natural landscape – its history and its stories – can amplify this. Language, poetry and place help improve and enrich our lives, and I can’t wait to share them all with the young people of Ynys Môn.”

Author visits have measurable benefits for children, particularly for those living in more deprived areas. Amlwch and Holyhead in the north of the island, where Alex will be visiting, are areas of deprivation that exceed the Wales average (WIMD 2019 – Holyhead).

Leusa Llewelyn, Artistic Director of Literature Wales says: “Alex is as passionate about Welsh history and Welsh culture as he is about the transformative power of literature. He confidently delivers workshops that celebrate the historical and cultural heritage of the young people he works with. He is naturally inquisitive, and enjoys learning, as well as sharing his gift as a wordsmith with others. We’re looking forward to following his journey, and are crossing our fingers for great weather and even greater walking boots!”

Alex Wharton is an award-winning poet, writer, author and performer. His first collection of poetry, Daydreams and Jellybeans (Firefly Press, 2020), was shortlisted for the Lollies laugh-out-loud poetry Award and the Wales Book of the Year Children and Young People Category. His second collection, Doughnuts, Thieves and Chimpanzees (Firefly Press, 2023), a lively ‘how to’ of poetry, rap, haiku and more, is nominated for the Yoto Carnegie Medal 2025. His Jhalak shortlisted third collection Red Sky at Night, Poet’s Delight was followed up exactly a year later in the mysterious, humorous, philosophical and charming companion volume Red Sky in the morning, Poets’ Warning, both illustrated by Ian Morris.

His poem ‘The Gardener’ caught the attention of Sir Lewis Hamilton who had Alex’s poem embroidered on his Burberry suit at the Met Gala 2024. In 2024 Alex’s books were adapted by Ballet Cymru for a stage adaptation of Daydreams and Jellybeans. Alex has collaborated with key national organisations such as Cadw, Ballet Cymru, Welsh Government, British Council and many Welsh libraries, and has also appeared in festivals such as Hay Festival and Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Alex is the Children’s Laureate Wales 2023-2025. Founded by Literature Wales in 2019, the role is 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 engaging with literature.