Frank Cottrell-Boyce named as new Children's Laureate

Frank Cottrell-Boyce. Image Book Trust

The multi-award-winning author and screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce has been named the Waterstones Children's Laureate 2024-2026. He was presented with the prestigious medal by outgoing laureate, Joseph Coelho, at a ceremony in Leeds on Tuesday.

Since his first book Millions won the CILIP Carnegie Medal, Frank has written a series of best-sellers - including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again. He dreamed up the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, co-wrote the Platinum Jubilee 'Paddington' sketch, and penned scripts for Doctor Who, Goodbye Christopher Robin and The Beautiful Game.

At the ceremony, Cottrell-Boyce pledged to dedicate his two-year tenure to starting a national conversation about the role books and reading play in transforming children's lives. His campaign, called 'Reading Rights: Books Build a Brighter Future', also includes plans for a national summit bringing together expert voices in the political, education, literacy and early years sectors.

He said: "Our children are living through the aftermath of a series of crises, the pandemic, a series of wars and an unfolding environmental crisis. The only public conversation is about how we can make our children 'catch up' - which seems to me a kind of code for forgetting this ever happened. None of us has the slightest idea about what the future now holds for them - but the one thing we do know is that they will need to know how to be happy."

He added: "Every child has to have the opportunity to begin to build the apparatus of happiness within themselves. I will use my time as Waterstones Children's Laureate to call for a reset in our attitude towards how we value children's books and reading - to start this story again - and to campaign for the millions of children living in poverty to be given the same life-changing chances… Whoever we wake up to Friday morning, they have the power to make a revolutionary change in children's lives."

He told the Press Association: "Other laureates have visited lots of libraries and lots of schools, but I want to be knocking on the door of Number 10 and saying its about time we did something about this nationally."

Coventry-based educational consultant Maeve Walsh, also known as the 'Reading Doctor' welcomed the news of the new Children's Laureate.

She said: "Congratulations to Frank Cottrell-Boyce on his appointment as the new Children's Laureate! It's clear that there's an exciting journey ahead as he aims to tackle important issues. Frank plans to establish an environment in which to bring together key stakeholders to drive significant systemic change. His focus on leveraging power for positive impact is truly inspiring!"

In the course of her work as a reading specialist with children, Maeve has been concerned to discover that many of her pupils do not have any books at home - while other youngsters had "so many books that they don't know what to do with."

Back in January, Maeve made an online appeal and was able to collect enough books to give one to every child in St Anne's Catholic Primary School, Coventry. Since then she has set up The Coventry Book Bank., collecting more than 14,000 books - and donated to over 20 schools and organisations - but is aware there are many more to contact - and many more books are needed.

Maeve says she hopes Frank Cottrell-Boyce might be interested in learning about the Book Bank. "It's an initiative that is steadily making a difference in our community," she said. "Every small change contributes to a larger impact, and it's heartening to see progress being made."

Maeve told ICN she would love to expand the project, setting up branches in many other towns and cities, where there is such a great need.

In addition to donating books to children, Maeve said: "I'd like to see businesses sponsoring the same children to receive additional reading support in schools, therefore really equipping children with equal access to a full education and opportunities. This support could be offered by Reading Doctors nationally." (We'll be keeping you updated on her progress.)

LINKS

The Reading Doctor: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078484731128

Listen to an interview on BBC Radio with Maeve Walsh here: www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1051318819598029

Book bank to 'redress balance' between pupils: www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv2j3ndyy57o

Watch: Ch4 - New children's laureate explains why reading out loud is an act of love: www.channel4.com/news/the-new-childrens-laureate-explains-why-reading-out-loud-is-an-act-of-love