About the Waterstones Children's Laureate

Frank Cottrell-Boyce is the current Waterstones Children’s Laureate.

The Children’s Laureateship exists to: 

1. Champion the right of every child to enjoy a lifetime rich in books and stories and the proven wellbeing benefits this brings
2. To celebrate the creativity of children’s books and storytelling in all their diversity
3. To promote the sharing of stories with children from all backgrounds
4. To inspire children whose lives are touched by the Laureate’s work to read more and to read for pleasure.
5. To advocate for the fundamental importance of children’s books and reading for children’s wellbeing and development
6. To facilitate measurable change through the focus of each Laureate’s work

The role of the Waterstones Children’s Laureate is an influential appointment awarded biennially to a renowned UK writer or illustrator of books for children, to celebrate their exceptional talent and to further the goals of the Laureateship through their own unique talents and approach.

The Waterstones Children’s Laureate receives a bursary of £30,000 and a specially designed and inscribed silver medal.

The idea for the Waterstones Children’s Laureate originated from a conversation between (the then) Poet Laureate Ted Hughes and children’s writer Michael Morpurgo. They considered it an appropriate and timely way to combine the celebration of excellence in writing and illustration for children with honouring individuals who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the world of children’s books.

Quentin Blake was the first Children’s Laureate (1999–2001), followed by Anne Fine (2001–2003), Michael Morpurgo (2003–2005), Jacqueline Wilson (2005–2007), Michael Rosen (2007–2009), Anthony Browne (2009–2011), Julia Donaldson (2011–2013), Malorie Blackman (2013–2015), Chris Riddell (2015–2017), Lauren Child (2017–19), Cressida Cowell (2019–22), Joseph Coelho (2022–24), and now Frank Cottrell-Boyce (2024–26).

Find out more about former Children’s Laureates

Each Waterstones Children’s Laureate has taken the opportunity to promote particular aspects of children’s books. These have included visual literacy, readers with disabilities, poetry, storytelling, illustration, drama, writing for young adults and more.

The role of Waterstones Children’s Laureate covers the UK: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Yes, since the UK Children’s Laureate was set up in 1999, other countries have been inspired to create their own Laureate programs for their literacy needs.

Ireland: The Laureate nanÓg was founded in 2010 and is a three-year term. Writer Patricia Forde holds the title for 2023 – 2026. 

Wales: The Bardd Plant Cymru is their own Welsh language Children’s Poet Laureate, which began in 2000. The current Bardd Plant Cymru is writer and playwright Nia Morais until August 2025. Alongside the Bardd Plant Cymru, there is a dedicated Children’s Laureate Wales role, which is currently held by poet and performer Alex Wharton until August 2025. 

Australia: The Australian Children’s Laureate began in 2012 and is awarded annually. Its current Children’s Laureate is Sally Rippin. 

The Netherlands: The Children’s Books Ambassador, called ​“Kinderboekenambassadeur”, is awarded every two years and first started in 2013. The current role is held by Rian Visser. 

Sweden: The Reading Ambassador, or ​“Läsamabassadör”, began in 2011 and is awarded every two years. The current ambassador is Agnes Török. 

USA: The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature was established in 2008 and is awarded every two years. The current ambassador is Mac Barnett. 

The selection panel invites nominations from a range of organisations across the UK representing librarians, critics, writers, literature development workers and booksellers.

Find out more about the 2024 – 2026 nominating bodies.

The selection panel for 2024 – 2026 were the Children’s Laureate Steering Group (see next section), joined by guest judges’writer, performer and campaigner Jordan Stevens and primary school teacher and children’s literature specialist Scott Evans. 

The Waterstones Children’s Laureate is managed by BookTrust, who support the Laureate, organise a minimum of four official Children’s Laureate events per year, raise funds and run the official website. BookTrust work with Midas Communications on the Children’s Laureate’s press and PR.

BookTrust work closely with the Waterstones Children’s Laureate steering committee, made up of representatives of the children’s book world, who provide a range of expertise and guidance with which to support the Children’s Laureate’s work.

The current steering committee comprises:

Kate Edwards (chair) – Expert in children’s museums and literary arts 

Esther Brown – primary school teacher and reading for pleasure consultant 

Anne Burns – Learning and Programmes Officer at Bolton Central Library 

Nick Campbell – Children’s Buyer at Waterstones, representing the main sponsor 

Sanchita Basu De Sarkar – owner of The Children’s Bookshop, representing the Booksellers Association Children’s Bookselling Group 

Emily Drabble – Head of Children’s Books Promotion and Prizes at BookTrust 

Jake Hope – Reading development & children’s literature consultant 

Amanda Punter – Publishing Director of Puffin at Penguin Random House, representing the Publishers Association Children’s Group 

Deborah Texeira – Children’s Bookseller & Schools Coordinator at Kenilworth Bookshop 

The lead sponsor is Waterstones, and the Children’s Laureateship receives additional funding from the Arts Council England. Children’s publishers also provide support for the Children’s Laureate programme. 

Find out more about the funders and sponsors

If you would like to write to the Frank Cottrell-Boyce, you can send correspondence to: 

Waterstones Children’s Laureate
c/​o The Prizes Team
BookTrust, G8 Battersea Studios
80 Silverthorne Road, London SW8 3HE

Frank Cottrell-Boyce’s official Children’s Laureate events will be organised with Waterstones. 

For additional appearances at festivals and conference please complete this online form

Please note that the Waterstones Children’s Laureate receives a huge volume of invitations, and only a limited number of events will be available throughout their term.

For any general Waterstones Children’s Laureate enquiries, please contact [email protected]. As we receive a high volume of emails it may take up to 14 working days to receive a response. 

For all Waterstones Children’s Laureate press enquiries, please contact Midas PR at [email protected] 

For book related press enquiries please contact the relevant publisher. 

If you wish to have one of the former Children’s Laureates appear at your school, library or festival please get in touch with their relevant publisher team as BookTrust are unable to coordinate these events.

Find out what the current and former Children’s Laureates are up to Twitter on the official Laureate twitter feed @UKLaureate 

Follow Frank Cottrell-Boyce’s own Twitter account@frankcottrell_b