Patrice Lawrence Named Waterstones Children’s Laureate
Patrice Lawrence has been appointed as the new Waterstones children’s laureate, with plans to emphasize the role of reading in helping communities "connect and cohere" during "times of fragmentation." Lawrence, acclaimed for her young adult novels including Orangeboy and Needle, succeeds Frank Cottrell-Boyce in this prestigious position. She received the laureate medal from Cottrell-Boyce at a ceremony held at London’s Barbican Centre on Tuesday, hosted by poet and broadcaster Lemn Sissay.
Focus on Reading as a Tool for Connection
At the launch of her two-year tenure, Lawrence highlighted the power of stories to help children "feel seen, understood and, most importantly, valued." She stated,
"We are living in a divided world where many people feel isolated – we need this now, more than ever."
Her focus as laureate will be on the potential of shared reading to foster a sense of belonging and community, particularly for children who feel marginalised. Additionally, she intends to celebrate the "unsung heroes" who nurture readers.
Lawrence expressed her ambition to build an evidence base demonstrating the impact of books on children’s lives, with particular attention to those in care, refugee children, and children of prisoners.
Accomplished Author with a Focus on Marginalised Voices
Born to Trinidadian parents in Sussex, Lawrence’s writing often explores themes related to foster care and contemporary Black British life, inspired by a sense of absence she experienced as a young reader. Since winning the children’s book prize and the Bookseller YA book prize in 2017 for Orangeboy, she has become one of Britain’s most celebrated children’s authors.
Lawrence, aged 59, has published 16 books spanning picture books and young adult novels, including People Like Stars, Is That Your Mama?, and Granny Came Here on the Empire Windrush. She was awarded an MBE for services to literature in 2021 and was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2023.
Recognition from Industry Leaders
Diana Gerald, CEO of BookTrust, which manages the laureate role, commented on Lawrence’s appointment, saying it
"gives a much-needed voice to the vulnerable children pushed to the edge of our society."
Nick Campbell, children’s campaign manager at Waterstones, added,
"Patrice is recognised as an essential voice in children’s literature, and booksellers love to recommend her work. Her irresistibly compelling novels illuminate the lives of today’s young people."
Legacy and Context of the Laureateship
Frank Cottrell-Boyce, the outgoing laureate, focused his tenure on demonstrating how reading for pleasure can transform children’s outcomes, working alongside various partners.
Previous holders of the Waterstones children’s laureate title include notable authors such as Quentin Blake, Michael Morpurgo, Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Rosen, Julia Donaldson, Malorie Blackman, Lauren Child, and Cressida Cowell.
