International Laureate Network
The Children’s Laureate award initially began in the United Kingdom and was given to a “writer or illustrator of children’s books to celebrate outstanding achievement in their field.” English Poet Laureate Ted Hughes and children’s writer Michael Morpurgo came up with this idea and the first official Children’s Laureate award was given in England to Quentin Blake in 1999.
There are now Children’s Laureate Programs in the UK, Australia, Ireland, The Netherlands, Sweden, Wales, Italy; a National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature in the USA and the Ti Awhi Rito New Zealand Reading Ambassador for children and young people.
Every two years since 2013 the International Children’s Laureate Summit has been held at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy and each of the Australian Children’s Laureates have attended this important and interesting event.
Read Around the World
After a tough 2020, Children’s Laureates from around the world united with a special message about the power of books and reading.
The International Children’s Laureates and Reading Ambassadors believe every child has the right to be a reader. Across the globe, they have continued to write and draw stories that inspire children. Reading is a journey everyone can embark on because books have no borders. Our international laureates urge everyone to #ReadAroundTheWorld
This video is created with thanks to (in order of appearance):
- ÁINE NÍ GHLINN – Laureate na nÓg (Ireland)
- ELOISE WILLIAMS – Children’s Laureate Wales
- GRUFFUDD OWEN – Bardd Plant Cymru (Wales)
- CRESSIDA COWELL – Waterstones Children’s Laureate UK
- HENRIKA ANDERSSON& AMANDA AUDAS-KASS –
Finnish Children’s Laureates - ALESSANDRO SANNA – Italian Children’s Laureate
- BAGIR KWIEK – Swedish Reading Ambassador
- MANON SIKKEL – Children’s Laureate (The Netherlands)
- URSULA DUBOSARSKY – Australian Children’s Laureate
Produced by: The Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation (ACLF)
Music by: Keys of the Moon Music
The Australian Children's Laureates
The Australian Children’s Laureate Program launched in 2012. The Laureates serve a two-year term and are the national ambassador for reading and Australian children’s literature.
About the Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation
The ACLF is a not-for-profit organisation that runs the Australian Children’s Laureate program. We work with authors, illustrators, educators, and partners to champion literacy, creativity, and access to stories for all young Australians.
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.
Contact the ACLF
Whether you’d like to support our programs, invite the Laureate to your event, or learn more about us, we’d love to connect.
General Enquires: ACLF Administration
Program & Partnership Enquiries: Kristin Darell, Program Director
Sponsorship & Event Enquiries: Justine Burton, Program & Events Manager
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