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Frank Cottrell-Boyce, current Waterstones Children's Laureate: 2024-26

Frank Cottrell-Boyce is a multi award-winning children’s book author and screenwriter. Millions, his debut children’s novel, won the prestigious CILIP Carnegie Medal.

frank cottrell boyce standing next to banner stand and books

His other books include Cosmic, Framed, The Astounding Broccoli Boy, Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth, Runaway Robot, Noah’s Gold and The Wonder Brothers. He has enjoyed a long-time collaboration with award-winning illustrator Steven Lenton. His books have been shortlisted for a multitude of prizes, including the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, the Whitbread Children’s Fiction Award, The Roald Dahl Funny Prize and the Blue Peter Book Award.

Frank is also a highly successful screenwriter. He has written for the hit TV series Dr Who and his script for Michael Morpurgo’s Kensuke’s Kingdom won a British Animation Award. Along with Danny Boyle, he devised the Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics. Frank has been the judge for the 500 Words competition and the BBC’s One Show As You Write It competition.

Frank is a lifelong champion of children’s books. In 2023 he launched a successful podcast with Nadia Shireen, The Island of Brilliant!, celebrating writing and illustration for children of all ages. He lives in Merseyside with his family. 

Some books by Frank Cottrell-Boyce

  • Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again

    by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Joe Berger 

    2011 5 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Funny

    When the Tooting family find a vast abandoned engine and fit it to their camper van, they have no idea of the adventure that lies ahead…

  • Noah’s Gold

    by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Steven Lenton 

    2021 9 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Funny

    Eleven-year-old Noah finds himself marooned on a deserted island that turns out to hold all kind of treasure. A book with a real sense of the absurd and a gentle message about the value we can find in things and people when we put our phones and laptops away.

  • Runaway Robot

    by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Steven Lenton 

    2019 9 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Funny

    Alfie has one hand; Eric has one leg. Can a small boy and a giant, police car-crushing robot ever be friends? And do bad things in your past have to destroy your future? Hilarious, complex and hugely satisfying.

  • Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Race Against Time

    by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Joe Berger 

    2012 5 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Fantasy
    • Funny
    • Historical

    In this follow-up to the popular Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again, the car that can fly and sail can now also time travel

  • The Astounding Broccoli Boy

    by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Steven Lenton 

    2015 9 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Funny
    • Science fiction

    Rory Rooney is unremarkable in almost everything, apart from his capacity to attract the attention of the school bully. But when he suddenly and spectacularly turns green, he becomes a superhero!

  • Cosmic

    by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Steven Lenton 

    2015 9 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Funny

    Long-legged Liam makes a giant leap for boy-kind by competing with a group of adults for the chance to go into space. Is Liam the best boy for the job?

  • Framed

    by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Steven Lenton 

    2015 9 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Funny

    The story centres on Dylan Hughes, the only boy left in a small Welsh mountain town called Manod. This is an immensely entertaining book, about the power of art to bring about change and to redeem.

  • Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth

    by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Steven Lenton 

    2016 9 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Funny
    • Science fiction

    Prez has one summer to find ten things about the earth that make it worth saving – but can he do it? This book is heart-breaking and hilarious in equal measure.

  • The Wonder Brothers

    by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Steven Lenton 

    2023 9 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Around the world
    • Funny
    • Thriller

    A funny, glitter-spangled, mystery thriller for anyone who likes a dose of danger with their magic.