The Australian Children's Laureate is a role appointed to an Australian children's author and/or illustrator with the purpose of promoting the power of reading to children. It is a two-year role and was inaugurated in 2011, for the 2012–2013 period. The inaugural appointment was a dual one, with Alison Lester and Boori Monty Pryor being announced as joint Australian Children's Laureates. The Australian Children's Laureate was inspired by similar programs in the UK, the Children's Laureate instituted in 1999, and the US, the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature instituted in 2008. These programs also award two-year appointments.
Background The Australian Children's Laureate Foundation (ACLF) is an independent not-for-profit organisation whose primary activity is the development and management of the Australian Children's Laureate programAbout the Australian Children's Laureate Foundation The Australian Children's Laureate program was initiated by the Australian Children's Literature Alliance in 2008, an organisation comprising authors, publishers, booksellers, librarians, teachers and representatives from arts bodies.Swan, Jonathan "Children's Laureates have some stories to tell", The Sydney Morning Herald, 10 December 2011
ACLF defines the role of the Laureate as being to "promote the transformational power of reading, creativity and story in the lives of young Australians, while acting as a national and international ambassador for Australian children’s literature." The laureates receive a stipend to carry out their role, which includes travelling to every state and territory in Australia, at least once, during the course of their appointment.Ferrari, Justine "Kids' lit seeks its laureate", The Australian, 16 February 2009 Each Laureate has their own unique project undertaken during the course of their laureateship.
Australian Children's Laureates YearsAuthor20122013Alison Lester and Boori Monty Pryor20142015Jackie French20162017 Leigh Hobbs20182019 Morris Gleitzman2020–2021Ursula Dubosarsky2022–2023Gabrielle Wang2024–2025Sally Rippin2026–2027Andy Griffiths
See also Children's Laureate Te Awhi Rito New Zealand Reading Ambassador
References
External links
Australian Children's Laureate