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.  

His other books include Cosmic, Framed, The Astounding Broccoli Boy, Sputnik’s Guide to Life on EarthRunaway 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. 

Frank Cottrell-Boyce shares his plans for his laureateship

Some books by Frank Cottrell-Boyce

Cosmic

Author: Frank Cottrell Boyce Illustrator: Steven Lenton

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?

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Desirable

Author: Frank Cottrell-Boyce

George is a self-confessed social reject who spends more time with his Warhammer figures than actual people - but when he's given a bottle of aftershave called 'Desirable', women can't resist him!

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Framed

Author: Frank Cottrell Boyce Illustrator: Steven Lenton

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.

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Millions

Author: Frank Cottrell Boyce Illustrator: Steven Lenton

One night, a bag containing £229,370 falls from the sky and flattens the hermitage. Damian is convinced it is a gift from God.

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Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth

Author: Frank Cottrell Boyce Illustrator: Steven Lenton

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.

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Ted Rules the World

Author: Frank Cottrell Boyce Illustrator: Cate James (cover illustration Chris Riddell)

When a new Prime Minister is elected on Ted’s birthday, strange things begin to happen. At first, Ted thinks it’s a happy coincidence that some of his ideas become government policy. However, as his more obscure thoughts are adopted by the Prime Minister, he wonders if he is genuinely influencing parliamentary decisions. 

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The Astounding Broccoli Boy

Author: Frank Cottrell Boyce Illustrator: Steven Lenton

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!

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The Wonder Brothers

Author: Frank Cottrell-Boyce Illustrator: Steven Lenton

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

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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again

Author: Frank Cottrell Boyce Illustrator: Joe Berger

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...

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