Award-winning author Patrice Lawrence has been named as the new UK Children's Laureate, joining an esteemed lineage that includes luminaries such as Jacqueline Wilson and Malorie Blackman. In a statement, she expressed her initial surprise at the appointment, citing the immense responsibility that comes with this prestigious role.
Lawrence plans to build on the work of her predecessor, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, by harnessing the power of reading to foster a sense of belonging in an increasingly socially divided Britain. Drawing from her background in children's rights and social justice organisations, she envisions shared reading experiences as a unifying force that can bring people together, just as singing along to a favourite song does.
With over two decades of experience working with vulnerable children, including those in care, refugee families, and children of prisoners, Lawrence aims to gather concrete evidence on the impact of books in changing lives. This research will provide valuable insights that can inform policy and demonstrate the tangible benefits of literature.
Lawrence's personal story is one of transformation, having been born in 1967 to Trinidadian parents who came to Britain to train as nurses. She was privately fostered by a white working-class family in Brighton, where her foster mother introduced her to reading at an early age. Initially, Lawrence believed that children's literature was solely the domain of 'white and dead' authors, a perception she held until witnessing the 1999 BBC adaptation of Malorie Blackman's 'Pig-Heart Boy', which had a profound impact on her perspective.
Lawrence's appointment is significant not only for its promise to focus on inclusivity but also for highlighting the transformative power of reading in connecting and empowering young people from diverse backgrounds across the UK.