Julia Donaldson is the seventh Waterstone's Children's Laureate

Julia Donaldson

Julia Donaldson, author of the multi-million selling children's book The Gruffalo, is the seventh Waterstone's Children's Laureate. The announcement took place at a daytime ceremony at King's Place, in central London (Tuesday 7 June 2011).

The role of Children's Laureate is awarded once every two years to an eminent writer or illustrator of children's books to celebrate outstanding achievement in their field. Donaldson, the first Scottish based author to receive the Laureateship, said: 'It is a great honour to have been chosen as the new Children's Laureate. Over the next two years I hope to find every opportunity to be a spokesperson and advocate for children's books and reading.'

Find out more about the new Children's Laureate