Patrice Lawrence MBE, award-winning children and young adult (YA) writer is the new Waterstones Children’s Laureate (2026-2028).

The Children’s Laureate role, sponsored by Waterstones, is an influential appointment awarded biennially to a renowned UK writer or illustrator of books for children. The role, which comes with a bursary of £30,000, is regarded as the guardian who champions the right of every child to enjoy a lifetime rich in books and stories.

In her highly illustrious career, Patrice Lawrence MBE is no stranger to accolades. She was awarded an MBE for Services to Literature in 2021. Her debut YA novel, Orangeboy (Hachette), won the Bookseller YA Book Prize and the Waterstones Prize for Older Children’s Fiction and was shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book Award.

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Her subsequent novels have also been on many a prize list including the Jhalak Children’s and Young Adult Prize and the YA Book Prize. Needle (Barrington Stoke) was shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing and winner of the 2023 Little Rebels Award. Her most recent book, People Like Stars (Scholastic) was shortlisted for the Nero Book Awards.

A common theme in Patrice’s craft is her ability to write for children of all ages. Her work often centres on the experiences of young people today, encompassing inclusivity, representing diverse family structures and spanning various genres. These qualities draw parallels of the last Black Children’s Laureate, Malorie Blackman, who served between 2013–2015.

“I have written for children and young people of all ages, and I know that stories help children – particularly vulnerable children – feel seen, understood and, most importantly, valued.”

Before becoming a full-time writer, Patrice worked for charities, promoting the rights of children, families and adults who often go unheard. While accepting her laureateship, she gave a speech championing shared stories as a tool for building stronger, safer and more inclusive communities. She shared her belief about how books and reading can help vulnerable children feel heard – particularly in our ‘divided’ world.

Sharing what inspires her to write and her upcoming plans for her laureateship, Patrice said: “I believe that we, as humans, are changed by stories. They connect us to different worlds, and they connect us to each other. People who feel this connection – who feel heard and believe in each other’s humanity – are the foundation of stronger, safer and more inclusive communities.

“I have written for children and young people of all ages, and I know that stories help children – particularly vulnerable children – feel seen, understood and, most importantly, valued. Stories help readers explore unfamiliar subjects safely with space to pause and reflect on complex emotions. And, just as importantly, reading helps us understand each other’s stories.

“I’ll work with children and adults with diverse experiences and from diverse backgrounds, children and adults who may feel undervalued in our society, to tell their stories. And, I want to celebrate the unsung heroes who bring joy and nurture reading communities through their work.

“During my tenure as Waterstones Children’s Laureate, I will champion the power of books to make us feel like we belong, and shared stories as a tool for bringing people together. We are living in a divided world where many people feel isolated, we need this now, more than ever.”