Frank Cottrell-Boyce named UK Children’s Laureate

July 3, 2024

This week, author Frank Cottrell-Boyce was announced as the latest UK’s Children’s Laureate for 2024-26, taking over from the previous postholder Joseph Coelho. In this role he will champion reading and storytelling and promote the importance of books for children.

What is the Children’s Laureate?

The Children’s Laureate is a two-year role awarded to a poet, author, playwright or illustrator with the aim of improving reading opportunities for children in the UK. There have been 13 Children’s Laureates beginning in 1999 with Quentin Blake. The Laureate is someone with ‘exceptional talent’ chosen by an expert panel of judges.

Who is Frank Cottrell-Boyce?

Frank Cottrell-Boyce is a multi-award-winning author. He is well known for his debut novel “Millions” (2004) which won the Carnegie Medal as well as many other books including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again, Cosmic, Framed and more. He was heavily involved in writing the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony as well as the famous Queen’s Platinum Jubilee sketch featuring Paddington Bear!

He has pledged to use his role to champion reading and address childhood poverty and inequality.

Speaking to the BBC he said:

“For too long, the life-changing benefits of children’s reading have not been taken seriously. And now – as our children face an unknown future – we risk losing a generation unless we act. So, my tenure as Waterstones Children’s Laureate will have happiness at its heart, but it will be about urgency. It will be about addressing invisible privilege and inequality.”

He has also spoken up about the important work that early years educators do in introducing books and storytelling to very young children – whilst often not bring celebrated or funded adequately.