Michael Rosen announced as the fifth Children’s Laureate...

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Michael Rosen announced as the fifth Children’s Laureate at a ceremony at BAFTA, Piccadilly, London at 11.30 am Monday 11 June.

"I think poetry for children needs to be saved from the cold dissection table of right and wrong answers and put back into rooms and halls full of wonder, compassion, haunting, laughter, music and rhythm. We need to hear its many voices, many cultures, many sounds. So I'll be trying to find ways of spreading the excitement of poetry as widely as possible whether that be through books, performances, festivals, internet, conferencing or however. This is about wide and diverse participation. Diverse Verse for all!" Michael Rosen

The award winning author and poet Michael Rosen is the fifth Children’s Laureate and the first poet to receive the award . Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty and chair of the selection committee, presenting Michael Rosen with the Children’s Laureate Medal and a bursary of £10,000, said:

"As the mother of a five-year old, it was a particular joy to be involved in the prestigious award of Britain's Children's Laureate. Michael Rosen was our clear and enthusiastic choice. His gift for capturing the language and imagination of children on and off the page will make him a wonderful champion for the young and their literature."

Michael Rosen, who will be the Children’s Laureate for the next two years (2007-2009), responded:

"I hope that I'll be able to boost all children's reading for pleasure but also to give a special lift to the wonderful diverse world of poetry for children. I see my job as Children’s Laureate being an ambassador for fun with books."

The appointment of the Children’s Laureate recognises and highlights the importance of exceptional children’s authors in creating the readers of tomorrow. Michael Rosen is the first poet to receive the award and takes over from Jacqueline Wilson. The illustrator Quentin Blake was the first Children’s Laureate from 1999-2001, the author Anne Fine held the position from 2001-2003 and Michael Morpurgo was the third Children’s Laureate from 2003 -2005.

The Children’s Laureate is supported by the Department for Culture Media and Sport. The sole sponsors for 2005-2007 are Waterstone’s.

“Waterstone’s is delighted to continue its sponsorship of the Children’s Laureate in 2007” said Waterstone’s Children’s Category Manager, Wayne Winstone. “We have seen from the contribution Jacqueline Wilson and former Laureates have made how much can be achieved in this role and we are particularly thrilled that Michael Rosen will be continuing this important work.”

The award is administered by Booktrust, an independent national charity that encourages people of all ages and cultures to discover and enjoy reading.

For full details see www.childrenslaureate.org

For further information visit the Booktrust website: www.booktrusted.com.

Or visit Michael Rosen’s website: www.michaelrosen.co.uk.

The Children’s Laureate since 1999:

• Quentin Blake, 1999-2001
• Anne Fine, 2001-2003
• Michael Morpurgo, 2003-2005
• Jacqueline Wilson, 2005-2007