Patrice Lawrence has been named the Waterstones Children’s Laureate for a two-year term, succeeding Frank Cottrell-Boyce. She was presented with the laureate medal by Cottrell-Boyce at a ceremony hosted by poet and broadcaster Lemn Sissay at London’s Barbican Centre. Lawrence, 59, is the author of YA novels including Orangeboy and Needle and has published 16 books; Orangeboy won the Waterstones children’s book prize and the Bookseller YA book prize in 2017. Launching her laureateship, Lawrence said she will champion shared reading to help children “feel seen, understood and, most importantly, valued” and to strengthen connection in “times of fragmentation.” Her programme will prioritise building an evidence base showing the impact of books on children’s lives, with a particular focus on children in care, refugee children, and the children of prisoners, and she plans to celebrate the “unsung heroes” who nurture readers. BookTrust chief executive Diana Gerald said Lawrence’s appointment gives “a much-needed voice to the vulnerable children pushed to the edge of our society,” and Waterstones children’s campaign manager Nick Campbell praised her as an essential voice whom booksellers love to recommend. Past holders of the laureate role include Quentin Blake, Michael Morpurgo, Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Rosen, Julia Donaldson, Malorie Blackman, Lauren Child and Cressida Cowell.
