Jacqueline Wilson is new Children's Laureate

Award-winning children's writer Jacqueline Wilson has been announced as the fourth Children's Laureate by Sir Christopher Frayling, Chairman of Arts Council England, at a ceremony at BAFTA, Piccadilly on 26th May. Jacqueline was presented with the Children's Laureate medal and a bursary of £10,000 and pledged in her acceptance speech to make reading aloud to children a central theme for her Laureateship.

The role of the Children's Laureate is awarded once every two years to an eminent British author or illustrator to mark a lifetime's contribution to excellence. The appointment of a Children's Laureate recognises and highlights the importance of exceptional children's authors in creating the readers of tomorrow.

Ottakar's Bookstores is the new sponsor of the Children's Laureate and will be a committed sponsor of the award for the next two years. The Children's Laureate is supported by the DCMS, who fund the £10,000 bursary.