About the ACLF
The Australian Children’s Laureate is an initiative developed by the Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation (ACLF).
The establishment of an Australian Children’s Laureate is based on the successful implementation of this initiative in the UK. Children’s Laureate programs are also operating in The Netherlands, Ireland, Wales, Sweden and Italy; there is a National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature in the US and and the Ti Awhi Rito New Zealand Reading Ambassador for children and young people.
Children’s Laureates and Reading Ambassadors from around the world gather every second year in Bologna to discuss global literacy issues. Australia is proud to be part of this powerful International Laureate Network.
The Australian Children’s Laureate Initiative
The Children’s Laureate is appointed on a biennial basis and must be an Australian author and/or illustrator of children’s and/or youth literature, who is making a significant cont/ribution to the children’s literature canon of this country.
The role of the Australian Children’s Laureate is to promote the transformational power of reading, creativity and story in the lives of young Australians.
The Laureate also acts as a national and international ambassador for Australian children’s literature, championing important issues affecting the entire industry, including educators, librarians, booksellers and publishers.
The 2026–2027 Laureate is Andy Griffiths
Our previous Laureates are:
- Sally Rippin (2024–2025)
- Gabrielle Wang (2022–2023)
- Ursula Dubosarsky (2020–2021)
- Morris Gleitzman (2018–2019)
- Leigh Hobbs (2016–2017)
- Jackie French (2014–2015)
- Alison Lester and Boori Monty Pryor (2012–2013)
Who we are
The Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation (ACLF) is a not-for-profit organisation with representation from across the field of children’s and young adult literature. Founded in 2008 as the Australian Children’s Literature Alliance (ACLA), the name was changed to ACLF in 2018 to clarify the focus of the organisation’s work.
The ACLF’s vision is to enrich the lives of young Australians through the power of story.
The ACLF’s mission is:
- to promote the value and importance of reading
- to raise the profile of books in the lives of Australian children and young adults
- to respond to identified needs and issues in the children’s & youth literature national landscape
- to champion the cause of young Australians’ reading in a consultative, collegial and inclusive way within a cultural framework that showcases the best of Australian Literature for young people, and
- to undertake selected national projects that will promote these objects nationally.
The ACLF’s primary activity is the development and management of the Australian Children’s Laureate program.
The ACLF has held deductible gift recipient (DGR) status since 2014.
The ACLF Team
The Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation relies on the skills, passion and abilities of many individuals in order to achieve its goals and meet its objectives.
On this page you can find out more about the ACLF Board and staff.
The ACLF Logo
The original ACLA logo was designed by Cat McInnes in 2010.
It was modified in 2018 by Lee Burgemeestre when it became the Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation (ACLF).
The Laureate Logo
The Magpie plays a special part at all Laureate events and launches. Now find out how and why this unique and special logo was created.
Stay in the loop with the Laureate
Contact Us
Whether you’d like to support our programs, invite the Laureate to your event, or learn more about us, we’d love to connect.
Contact: ACLF Administration
PO Box 504, Forestville, NSW 2087
Program & Partnership Enquiries
Are you interested in partnering with the ACLF on a Laureate event? We’d love to hear from you.
Contact: Kristin Darell, Program Director
Sponsorship Enquiries
The ACLF can only continue its work through the generosity of our funding partners. If you would like to support our work or find out more, we’d love to hear from you.