Child named UK Children’s Laureate

In the UK, children’s author Lauren Child has been appointed the 10th Waterstones Children’s Laureate.

Child is best known as the creator of the ‘Charlie and Lola’ series (Orchard Books), the ‘Clarice Bean’ series (Orchard Books) and the ‘Ruby Redfort’ series (HarperCollins), and won the Kate Greenaway Medal in 2000 for I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato (Orchard Books).

Child will take over from outgoing Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell, who has held the role since 2015.

Child said she will use her time to ‘inspire children to believe in their own creative potential, to make their own stories and drawings and ignite in them the delight of reading for pleasure’. She also told the Bookseller she wants to promote the ‘art form of children’s books’. ‘We can be very sniffy about it but I think on so many levels, illustration is very important because it’s often the first time a child will have a piece of art up close,’ said Child.

The Children’s Laureate is managed by BookTrust and sponsored by Waterstones, with additional funding and sponsorship from publishers and Arts Council England. Laureates are chosen every two years and each receives a medal and a £15,000 (A$25,760) bursary. More details of the appointment can be found on the award website here.

Category: International news Junior