News
Waterstone's plans Laureate’s Table
11.03.09 | Caroline Horn
Current and former children’s laureates will join forces this spring to help celebrate the first decade of the children’s laureate post. The promotion includes a Laureate’s Table, inspired by Waterstone’s Writer’s Table, whereby the laureates will reveal their favourite children’s books.
Former laureates Quentin Blake, Anne Fine, Michael Morpurgo, and Jacqueline Wilson, and current laureate Michael Rosen, will also take part in two major events during April, including one at Waterstone's Piccadilly.
Waterstone’s announced this week that it would continue as sponsor of the post. As part of that, the chain will run The Laureates’ Table with the laureates’ choices unveiled on 28th April and rolled out to selected branches as well as at Waterstones.com.
Sarah Clarke, Waterstone's children’s buying manager, said: "These five talents have been inspiring readers for decades with the books they have written and illustrated. By revealing their favourite children's books on the Laureates' Table they will help a new generation of readers discover a world of imagination and wonder - the ultimate goal of everyone who produces books for children!"
The ten year celebrations include two events with Fine, Morpurgo, Wilson and Rosen on Monday 27th April. The first – a lunchtime event for one hundred 10-year-olds – will take place at Waterstone's Piccadilly where the children and the laureates will discuss and celebrate 'what it means to be ten'.
The laureates will then cross the Thames for a Platform event at the National Theatre that evening. Chaired by John Mullan, the writers will reflect on their experiences of being children’s laureate and discuss the current trend of dramatic adaptations of children’s novels.
The new children’s laureate will be selected by a panel of judges chaired by Andrew Motion, The Poet Laureate and chair of Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). The panel will include: Sarah Clarke, children’s buying manager for Waterstone’s; Nikki Heath, SLA School Librarian of the Year 2008 and Fiona Smith of the Federation of Children’s Book Groups alongside other children’s book specialists. The post is administered by Booktrust and funded by the MLA.
Each laureate retains the post for two years and the new incumbent will be announced on 9th June.
Comments on this article
By Robert Muchamore
They should ask Melvyn Burgess to be the next Laureate. He'd be an absolute hoot!11 Mar 09 09:43
By Vanessa Champion and The Trepets!
As a children's book publisher, I think this is a brilliant idea, and one which will highlight some great titles which kids will love...and encourage their parents to revisit!!16 Jul 09 09:43
