On my radar: Cressida Cowell’s cultural highlights
The Guardian view on Frank Cottrell-Boyce as children’s laureate: a timely champion
‘Reading’s in danger’: Frank Cottrell-Boyce on books, kids – and the explosive power of Heidi
Frank Cottrell-Boyce chosen as new children’s laureate
October 2023
‘Libraries are the heart of community’: children’s laureate Joseph Coelho on inspiring the next generation of writers
Since his first anthology in 2014, Coelho has become a prolific author for children and YA readers – and it all started, he says, in a vital community space
December 2022
‘I’ve been banned since the beginning’: Jason Reynolds talks to Joseph Coelho
The UK children’s laureate and America’s ambassador for young people’s literature discuss finding a voice and how to get kids reading
October 2022
Book of the day
Just Sayin’ by Malorie Blackman review – against the odds
The former children’s laureate shares her sometimes enraging story of rejection, determination and resilience
July 2022
Joseph Coelho chosen as Britain’s new children’s laureate
The poet and children’s author, who takes over from Cressida Cowell, was praised as an ‘extraordinary advocate for making poetry accessible to all’
June 2022
Cressida Cowell renews call for £100m investment in primary school libraries
The outgoing children’s laureate has transformed six primary schools through her Life-changing Libraries initiative, but says a ringfenced fund is needed for lasting impact
April 2021
Children’s laureates campaign for £100m a year to fix primary school libraries
Current laureate Cressida Cowell leads demands to ringfence funds to renew ‘deteriorating’ facilities that fail to appeal to students
March 2020
TV review
Noughts + Crosses review – reverse-race love story is vital viewing
Adapted from Malorie Blackman’s hit series of novels, this smart drama highlights structural racism by flipping a familiar tale of star-crossed lovers on its head
December 2019
Self and wellbeing
Michael Rosen: ‘Stories hung in the air about great-aunts and uncles who’d gone’
'Real ones know!' Stormzy namechecks Malorie Blackman and Jacqueline Wilson
October 2019
Stormzy's #Merky Books to publish Malorie Blackman's memoir
The Noughts and Crosses author’s life story has been signed to the grime star’s imprint and is scheduled for 2022
July 2019
Cressida Cowell: ‘Books are better than films at teaching children creativity and intelligence'
How to Train Your Dragon author Cressida Cowell named new children's laureate
May 2019
Toffee by Sarah Crossan review – a profoundly moving YA novel in verse
Trauma, grief and belonging are all addressed in this poignant verse novel from the Irish children’s laureate
September 2017
Lauren Child: ‘We should let children dawdle and dream’
The new children’s laureate on why society is too goal-oriented and how she plans to use her role to encourage youngsters to develop their creativity by ‘just having a go’
June 2017
A life in ...
Children’s laureate Lauren Child on her new role, motherhood and creativity
From Quentin Blake to Lauren Child: the first 10 children's laureates – in pictures
