Malorie Blackman announced as Children’s Laureate
Malorie Blackman announced as Children’s Laureate
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Malorie Blackman, bestselling author of the Noughts & Crosses teen book series, has been announced as the Waterstones Children’s Laureate for 2013-2015, taking over from Julia Donaldson.
Blackman takes over from Julia Donaldson and was presented with her medal at a ceremony at King’s Place, London. Blackman commented; “It’s such a thrill and honour to be thought up to the task,” Blackman told the Telegraph. “Some of the previous Children’s Laureates have been writers for younger children but I will be able to also represent upper junior and young adults. I have some ideas about using the laureate as a social device to bring people together.”
Blackman is the first black Laureate of the eight who have been handed the honour since 1999. She said: “There have only been seven previous winners so it’s not like we are breaking a pattern of hundreds of years but it’s a reflection of being bold and not being afraid of new ideas. This is the 21st century, after all. It should not be a big deal to have a black Children’s Laureate in 2013. I’m just thrilled that they think I am up to the task. I hope my colour was incidental to the choice.”
It’s a special job for one of the country’s very best children’s writers or illustrators and gives them a chance to speak up for young readers. Only the most brilliant of children’s authors get to be children’s laureate – just take a look at the list so far! Quentin Blake was the first, in 1999, and he was followed by Anne Fine, Michael Morpurgo, Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Rosen, Anthony Browne and Julia Donaldson.
In her acceptance speech Malorie outlined some of the things she has lined up for her two years as laureate. Her main aim is to “get more children reading more” and she’s keen to promote diverse genres and forms as she’s a big fan of comics and graphic novels so she’ll be highlighting those, as well as short stories. She’s also a huge supporter of libraries and wants to make sure that every kid in the country has a library ticket.
But if you don’t already know her work, you might like to start off with the first chapters from her most famous book, Noughts and Crosses.
The role, which is sponsored by Waterstones, is awarded once every two years to an eminent author or illustrator of children’s books to celebrate outstanding achievement in their field.
London-born Blackman, 51, who lives in Kent with her husband and daughter, is a former computer programmer. On her own website today she built a video that shows Donaldson gradually changing into Blackman, with Doctor Who-style lights and music.
The Clapham-born writer made it into Tinie Tempah’s song Written in the Stars in the lyrics: “Look, I’m just a writer from the ghetto like Malorie Blackman.”
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