Lauren Child, the author and illustrator of the award-winning Charlie and Lola and Clarice Bean books has been named as the 10th Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate, succeeding fellow author and illustrator Chris Riddell to the two-year post.
Child has said she hopes to work with artists as well as writers and illustrators during her time in office. “I would love to talk to other artists whose work I admire,” she explained. “I think it is important for children to know we have our influences and get inspiration from all around us.”
“I want to inspire children to believe in their own creative potential, to make their own stories and drawings and ignite in them the delight of reading for pleasure. In an increasingly fast paced world, children need the freedom to dream and imagine; to enjoy reading, drawing and telling their own stories without value judgement or restraint”.