Waterstones Children's Laureate

Author-illustrator Lauren Child is the Waterstones Children's Laureate for 2017-19.

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.

Lauren Child is a multi-award-winning, bestselling writer and artist whose books are known and loved the world over. She is the creator of characters such as Clarice Bean, Ruby Redfort and Charlie and Lola.

Mary Poppins illustrated by Lauren Child

Win this new Mary Poppins book, illustrated by Lauren Child

In this section

Pippi Longstocking illustration by Lauren Child

About the Waterstones Children's Laureate

Everything you need to know about the laureateship and the current author-illustrator in the role, Lauren Child.

More about Lauren Child

Lauren Child is a multi-award-winning, bestselling writer and artist whose books are known and loved the world over: creator of characters Clarice Bean, Ruby Redfort and Charlie and Lola.

Ruby Retford Pick Your Poison front cover

Children's Laureate events

Would you like to see the Waterstones Children’s Laureate Lauren Child? If so, why not head along to one of the number of events Lauren will be at this year.

Former Laureates

Take a look at our League of Laureates: nine star authors and illustrators who have previously held the role.

Our supporters

Find out about everyone who supports the Waterstones Children's Laureate and makes the role possible.

Thank you!

A big thank you to everyone who donated to the BookTrust Christmas appeal. With your amazing support, we have reached over 11,500 children who are vulnerable or in care with a festive book parcel, and made them feel special this Christmas.

Find out how to support BookTrust in 2019 and help get books to more children

Latest from the Laureate

Laureate news and blogs

The Book That Made Me: Jacqueline Wilson 16/01/2019

The Family From One End Street by Eve Garnett spurred on Jacqueline Wilson to tell cert...
Winners announced for the first international Lauren Child Poetry Illustration Prize 20/11/2018

Here are the finalists of the first international Lauren Child Poetry Illustration Priz...
BookTrust celebrates 20 years of the Waterstones Children’s Laureate 02/11/2018

Today, we unveil the first plans for our celebration of 20 years of the Waterstones Chi...