CHILDREN’S LAUREATE
A collection of eminent children’s book authors and illustrators gathered in Bologna this year.
Hosted by the 2023 Bologna Children’s Book Fair, Laureates from 7 countries were part of the 2023 programme. The International Laureates Summit continues the tradition of bringing together a growing number of Laureates and Reading Ambassadors from around the world. Each country has its own unique focus but all are united in their goal to encourage all children to read. The Summit is an opportunity for Laureates and their support organisations to discuss reading promotion in their respective countries and to share their work and their future plans. The programme presented also a public talk featuring all 7 Laureates, chaired by Julia Eccleshare, at the Illustrators Café.
THE ORIGINS
In 1999 the organization BookTrust appointed the first Children’s Laureate, world-renowned author-illustrator Quentin Blake. Since then, every two years, a writer or an illustrator, who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the world of children’s books, is awarded the position to champion children’s books and reading. Nine countries have followed the UK’s example and have appointed their own Children’s Laureate or Reading Ambassador. Even though the organizations are different and function of the Laureate varies between the countries, they have all a common objective in promoting literature and reading among young people.