Anthony Browne - 2009-2011 Children's Laureate

Waterstone's are pleased to announce that Anthony Browne is the sixth Children's Laureate (2009-2011). Anthony Browne was officially appointed to the role at a ceremony in London on 9th June 2009. The internationally acclaimed, award-winning author and illustrator wants to "focus particularly on the appreciation of picture books, and the reading of both pictures and words. Picture books are for everybody at any age, not books to be left behind as we grow older". Anthony has already started his quest by launching a campaign to create a national day of drawing, a day to bring creativity back to the classroom and encourage children to draw. Read more about Anthony Browne on our author page.

The role of Children's Laureate is sponsored by Waterstone's, and is awarded once every two years to an eminent writer or illustrator of children's books to celebrate outstanding achievement in their field. The appointment of a Children's Laureate acknowledges the importance of exceptional children's authors in creating the readers of tomorrow.

Earlier this year, to celebrate a decade of the Children's Laureate, the previous Laureates of Quentin Blake, Anne Fine, Michael Morpurgo, Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Rosen joined forces in the creation of The Laureates' Table at Waterstone's - a major promotion that allowed all five laureates to reveal their favourite children's books. Inspired by the hugely successful Writer's Table, the Laureates were given free rein in choosing their books.