Patrice Lawrence has been named the United Kingdom’s next Children’s Laureate, a role she will undertake for two years. Recognized for her contributions to literature with an MBE in 2021 and election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2023, Lawrence takes on the position amid concerns over declining recreational reading rates among children and teenagers in the UK.

Lawrence’s appointment was announced during the National Year of Reading, an initiative spearheaded by the Department for Education to encourage renewed engagement with books. Current data indicate that only about one-third of children aged eight to 18 enjoy reading in their free time, marking a 36 percent drop since 2005. The laureate role, managed by BookTrust—the UK’s largest children’s reading charity—and sponsored by Waterstones, is awarded biennially to an author or illustrator notable for exceptional talent in children’s literature.

In her acceptance, Lawrence highlighted the importance of storytelling in today’s “times of fragmentation,” emphasizing books as a means to foster belonging and connection. She noted that stories can offer vulnerable children a sense of being seen and valued, providing a space to safely explore complex emotions and unfamiliar subjects. “We are living in a divided world where many people feel isolated. We need this now, more than ever,” she said.

Lawrence’s literary career spans a decade, beginning with her debut young adult novel, Orangeboy, which follows a 16-year-old boy caught up in gang violence. The book garnered several awards, including The Bookseller’s YA Book Prize and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for Older Children’s Fiction, and was shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book Award. Since then, she has published 16 titles, including Needle, People Like Stars, Is That Your Mama?, Granny Came Here on the Empire Windrush, Our Story Starts in Africa, and The Elemental Detectives.

Diana Gerald, co-chief executive of BookTrust, underscored the significance of Lawrence’s new role, emphasizing how books can open dialogues, deepen understanding, and create a sense of safety for children and communities. Gerald pointed out that when children and families do not see their experiences reflected in literature, they may struggle to find their place. “In this National Year of Reading, the appointment of Patrice Lawrence as children’s laureate gives a much-needed voice to the vulnerable children pushed to the edge of our society,” she said.

Kate Edwards, chair of the judging panel for the Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2026-28, praised Lawrence’s ability to engage young readers with themes that resonate with their everyday lives, offering a safe space for exploring difficult and complex issues. Edwards added that in today’s challenging environment, the connections fostered through books and reading are more important than ever.

The Children’s Laureate role, established in 1999 with Quentin Blake as its first recipient, has been previously held by prominent figures such as Sir Michael Morpurgo, Dame Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Rosen, Julia Donaldson, Malorie Blackman, Lauren Child, and Cressida Cowell.