Children's Laureate
Encyclopedia
Children's Laureate is a position awarded in the UK
once every two years to a distinguished writer or illustrator of children's books
. A biannual bursary of £10,000 is offered. "The idea for the Children's Laureate originated from a conversation between (the then) Poet Laureate
Ted Hughes
and children's writer Michael Morpurgo
."
A panel of judges considers nominations from a range of organisations representing librarians, critics, writers and booksellers, including the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). They also consider authors and illustrators nominated directly by children.
The award is funded by the MLA (Museums, Libraries and Archives Council) and a range of other publishing industry and charity sector sponsors. Its main sponsor is Waterstone's
, the UK's largest bookseller. The award was previously sponsored by Ottakar's before the companies merged.
The Children's Laureate selection panel for the 2007 to 2009 award was chaired by Shami Chakrabarti
, director of pressure group Liberty
.
The Laureate for 2009 to 2011, Anthony Browne
, was announced on 9 June 2009, selected by a panel chaired by Andrew Motion
, the Poet Laureate from 1999 to 2009.
On 7 June 2011, Julia Donaldson was named as the Children's Laureate for 2011 to 2013.
inaugurated its National Ambassador for Young People's Literature scheme, as the U.S. equivalent of the Children's Laureate. The inaugural Ambassador is Jon Scieszka
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
once every two years to a distinguished writer or illustrator of children's books
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
. A biannual bursary of £10,000 is offered. "The idea for the Children's Laureate originated from a conversation between (the then) Poet Laureate
Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom
The Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, also referred to as the Poet Laureate, is the Poet Laureate appointed by the monarch of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Prime Minister...
Ted Hughes
Ted Hughes
Edward James Hughes OM , more commonly known as Ted Hughes, was an English poet and children's writer. Critics routinely rank him as one of the best poets of his generation. Hughes was British Poet Laureate from 1984 until his death.Hughes was married to American poet Sylvia Plath, from 1956 until...
and children's writer Michael Morpurgo
Michael Morpurgo
Michael Morpurgo, OBE FKC AKC is an English author, poet, playwright and librettist, best known for his work in children's literature. He was the third Children's Laureate.-Early life:...
."
A panel of judges considers nominations from a range of organisations representing librarians, critics, writers and booksellers, including the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). They also consider authors and illustrators nominated directly by children.
The award is funded by the MLA (Museums, Libraries and Archives Council) and a range of other publishing industry and charity sector sponsors. Its main sponsor is Waterstone's
Waterstone's
Waterstone's is a British book specialist established in 1982 by Tim Waterstone that employs around 4,500 staff throughout the United Kingdom and Europe....
, the UK's largest bookseller. The award was previously sponsored by Ottakar's before the companies merged.
The Children's Laureate selection panel for the 2007 to 2009 award was chaired by Shami Chakrabarti
Shami Chakrabarti
Shami Chakrabarti CBE , has been the director of Liberty, a British pressure group, since September 2003. Chakrabarti is the Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University.-Early life:...
, director of pressure group Liberty
Liberty (pressure group)
Liberty is a pressure group based in the United Kingdom. Its formal name is the National Council for Civil Liberties . Founded in 1934 by Ronald Kidd and Sylvia Crowther-Smith , the group campaigns to protect civil liberties and promote human rights...
.
The Laureate for 2009 to 2011, Anthony Browne
Anthony Browne (author)
Anthony Edward Tudor Browne is a British author and illustrator of children's books, with nearly forty titles to his name. He was the previous Children's Laureate.-Life and work:...
, was announced on 9 June 2009, selected by a panel chaired by Andrew Motion
Andrew Motion
Sir Andrew Motion, FRSL is an English poet, novelist and biographer, who presided as Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1999 to 2009.- Life and career :...
, the Poet Laureate from 1999 to 2009.
On 7 June 2011, Julia Donaldson was named as the Children's Laureate for 2011 to 2013.
Children's Laureates
| Years | Author |
|---|---|
| 1999–2001 | Quentin Blake Quentin Blake Quentin Saxby Blake, CBE, FCSD, RDI, is an English cartoonist, illustrator and children's author, well-known for his collaborations with writer Roald Dahl.-Education:... |
| 2001–2003 | Anne Fine Anne Fine Anne Fine, OBE FRSL is a British author best known for her children's books, of which she has written more than 50. She also writes for adults... |
| 2003–2005 | Michael Morpurgo Michael Morpurgo Michael Morpurgo, OBE FKC AKC is an English author, poet, playwright and librettist, best known for his work in children's literature. He was the third Children's Laureate.-Early life:... |
| 2005–2007 | Jacqueline Wilson Jacqueline Wilson Dame Jacqueline Wilson, DBE, FRSL is an award-winning English author, known for her vast and diverse work in children's literature. Her novels have been adapted numerous times for television, and commonly deal with such challenging themes as adoption, divorce and mental illness... |
| 2007–2009 | Michael Rosen Michael Rosen Michael Wayne Rosen is a broadcaster, children's novelist and poet and the author of 140 books. He was appointed as the fifth Children's Laureate in June 2007, succeeding Jacqueline Wilson, and held this honour until 2009.... |
| 2009–2011 | Anthony Browne Anthony Browne (author) Anthony Edward Tudor Browne is a British author and illustrator of children's books, with nearly forty titles to his name. He was the previous Children's Laureate.-Life and work:... |
| 2011–2013 | Julia Donaldson Julia Donaldson Julia Catherine Donaldson MBE is an English writer and playwright, best known as author of The Gruffalo and other children's books, many illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Of her 157 published works, 56 are widely available in bookshops... |
U.S. equivalent
In January 2008 the Library of CongressLibrary of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
inaugurated its National Ambassador for Young People's Literature scheme, as the U.S. equivalent of the Children's Laureate. The inaugural Ambassador is Jon Scieszka
Jon Scieszka
Jon Scieszka was born September 8, 1954 in Flint, Michigan is an American author of children's literature, best known for his collaborations with illustrator Lane Smith. He is also a nationally recognized reading advocate, and in early 2008 was named the National Ambassador for Young People's...
.
See also
- Blue Peter Book AwardsBlue Peter Book AwardsThe Blue Peter Book Awards are a series of literary prizes for children's literature awarded annually by the BBC television programme Blue Peter, and inaugurated in 2000....
- Carnegie MedalCarnegie MedalThe Carnegie Medal is a literary award established in 1936 in honour of Scottish philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and given annually to an outstanding book for children and young adults. It is awarded by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals...
- Guardian AwardGuardian AwardThe Guardian Children's Fiction Prize or Guardian Award is a prominent award for works of children's literature by British or Commonwealth authors, published in the United Kingdom during the preceding year. The award has been given annually since 1967, and is decided by a panel of authors and the...
- Kate Greenaway MedalKate Greenaway MedalThe Kate Greenaway Medal was established in the United Kingdom in 1955 in honour of the children's illustrator, Kate Greenaway. The medal is given annually to an outstanding work of illustration in children's literature. It is awarded by Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals...
- Nestlé Smarties Book PrizeNestlé Smarties Book PrizeThe Nestlé Children's Book Prize, also known as the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize, was an annual award given to children's books written in the previous year by a UK citizen or resident. The prize was administered by Booktrust, an independent charity which promotes books and reading, and sponsored by...