Patrice Lawrence Announced as Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2026-2028
Congratulations to Patrice Lawrence who has been named as the Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2026-2028, taking on the mantle from Frank Cottrell-Boyce.
Managed by BookTrust and sponsored by Waterstones, the Laureate role celebrates creativity and storytelling, promotes the vital importance of reading and children’s literature, and champions the right of every child to enjoy a lifetime enriched with books and stories. Each Laureate brings their own passion and creativity to their tenure.
In addition to her success as an author, with a number of award-winning books to her name for children of varying ages, Patrice Lawrence has a background in the charity sector, where she worked with organisations supporting the families of prisoners and for the National Children’s Bureau. She laid out her aims at the ceremony, pledging to ‘champion the power of books to make us feel like we belong and stories as a tool for bringing people together.’
She says, ‘My aim is to create a national conversation that champions the benefits of shared reading and sociable reading experiences. Alongside BookTrust, I’ll explore how books and reading together help communities connect and cohere, especially in times of fragmentation. I’ll work with children and adults with diverse experiences and from diverse backgrounds, children and adults who may feel undervalued in our society, to tell their stories. And, I want to celebrate the unsung heroes who bring joy and nurture reading communities through their work.’
In an exclusive interview with Books for Keeps, she explained how she will use her experience in the voluntary sector to drive her work as Laureate: ‘One thing I’ve learned from the voluntary sector is the importance of building an evidence base. Often we hear that reading is great, and brings people together, but how do we know? So I think one thing I really want to have at the end of my term is a really clear evidence base that we can use to take work forward. I want the kind of qualitative evidence from talking to people, but let’s see what else we can ground it in as well, maybe even something like a literature review as part of that.’
She also discussed drawing on her own personal experiences and background as a child in care to support young people. ‘I think that’s the thing that I’m really looking forward to, to find ways that we can give people back their humanity when it feels that it’s been taken away from them. I will be going out and meeting people and I adore that. I think because I share certain experiences with some of those I meet, I hope they can feel a little bit inspired by me by saying, “Actually, I know exactly how it feels because I’ve been there”.’
Read the full interview in our forthcoming issue.
Patrice Lawrence was presented with the bespoke silver Laureate medal by outgoing Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, at a ceremony hosted by poet, author and broadcaster Lemn Sissay at the Barbican Centre in London on Tuesday 7 July 2026.
Diana Gerald, Co-CEO at BookTrust, said, ‘All our work and research at BookTrust shows that books can open conversations and deepen understanding for children, and that shared reading experiences create a sense of belonging and safety. When children, families and communities don’t see themselves reflected in books, they can struggle to find their place in the world.
‘In this National Year of Reading, the appointment of Patrice Lawrence as Children’s Laureate gives a much-needed voice to the vulnerable children pushed to the edge of our society. We’re looking forward to supporting her work with communities across the country to explore how sharing stories can strengthen wellbeing, build relationships and nurture meaningful community connection.’
Nick Campbell, Children’s Campaign Manager at Waterstones, said: “It’s so exciting to welcome Patrice Lawrence as the new Waterstones Children’s Laureate. A decade after winning the Older Readers category of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize with Orangeboy, 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, and we can’t wait to see her bring the same energy and compassion to her Laureateship. We’re proud to support her in this vital role, championing the life-changing power of stories.’
Patrice follows in the footsteps of: Quentin Blake (1999-2001), Anne Fine (2001-2003), Michael Morpurgo (2003-2005), Jacqueline Wilson (2005-2007), Michael Rosen (2007-2009), Anthony Browne (2009-2011), Julia Donaldson (2011-2013), Malorie Blackman (2013-2015), Chris Riddell (2015-2017), Lauren Child (2017-2019), Cressida Cowell (2019-2022), Joseph Coelho (2022-2024), and Frank Cottrell-Boyce (2024-2026).
