By W. G. S. D. Wijesinghe, Jadetimes news
Novelist and screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce has been announced as the new Children's Laureate. He will assume the role, which involves advocating for reading and children's literature, from this year until 2026. Cottrell Boyce expressed his pride in taking on this position, stating, "Writing and reading have transformed my life."
Succession and Past Laureates
Cottrell Boyce succeeds Joseph Coelho, known for his Luna Loves picture books and Fairy Tales Gone Bad series, who held the position for the past two years. Previous laureates include notable authors such as Julia Donaldson, Quentin Blake, Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Rosen, Anne Fine, Malorie Blackman, and Michael Morpurgo.
Cottrell Boyce was awarded the bespoke silver laureate medal by Coelho at a ceremony held at the Howard Assembly Room in Leeds on Tuesday.
In a statement, Cottrell Boyce highlighted the transformative power of reading: "I write children’s books because I think they help build the apparatus of happiness inside us." He emphasized the crucial role of shared storytelling in child development. However, he also warned that the benefits of children's reading are not being taken seriously enough and stressed the urgency of addressing this issue to avoid losing a generation.
Cottrell Boyce, based in Liverpool, stated that his tenure would focus on addressing invisible privilege and inequality. He expressed concern about the increasing number of children living in poverty and being left behind, calling for national provisions to ensure every child has access to books and reading from an early age to improve their long term life chances.
The Waterstones Children's Laureate
The Waterstones Children's Laureate, reappointed every two years, is a prestigious position managed by Book Trust. The role aims to celebrate creativity and storytelling, promote reading and children's literature, and advocate for all children to have lives enriched by books.
Career and Achievements
Cottrell Boyce won the Carnegie Medal for his debut novel "Millions," published in 2004, which was also adapted into a film directed by Danny Boyle. His other novels include "Cosmic," "Framed," "The Astounding Broccoli Boy," "Runaway Robot," and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again," an official sequel commissioned by the Fleming Estate. His screenwriting credits include co writing the Platinum Jubilee Paddington sketch, as well as contributions to "Doctor Who," "Goodbye Christopher Robin," and "The Beautiful Game."