Patrice Lawrence: UK's New Children's Laureate on Impact and Inclusion

Patrice Lawrence has recently been named the UK's next Children's Laureate for a two-year term. The author, known for books like Orangeboy, expressed profound shock at the news, now processing her place in such an esteemed literary lineage.

Lawrence's mission is to involve children currently isolated from reading. She aims to use her platform to connect all young people with books, a focus partly shaped by her own early presumption that children’s stories came from authors who were "white and dead." This commitment highlights the importance of accessibility and diverse representation.

Joining a distinguished group including Jacqueline Wilson, Lawrence acknowledges the significant impact these predecessors had on her. She is poised to inspire future generations.

Her focus on inclusion will make a real difference.

Related reading: The Complete Guide to Actually Finishing What You Write and Jenni Fagan Shares Literary Loves and a Lesson from Maya Angelou.