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
Children's Laureate, now known as the 'Waterstones Children's Laureate' is a prestigious position awarded in the United Kingdom once every two years to a "writer or illustrator of children's books to celebrate outstanding achievement in their fie ...
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 program
[About the Australian Children's Laureate Foundation](_blank)
/ref> 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.
/ref>
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."
/ref> Each Laureate has their own unique project undertaken during the course of their laureateship.
Australian Children's Laureates
References
External links
{{Portal , Children's literature
Australian Children's Laureate
Awards established in 2011
Australian children's literary awards