VOTE FOR THE NEW CHILDREN'S LAUREATE

Who do you want to be the next Children's Laureate?

Children and adults are welcome to make nominations for the next Children's Laureate, who will be appointed in June 2007 for a two year term.

Who can I choose?

A writer, poet or an illustrator ... • who is still alive! • who has written or illustrated many books and has been published for at least eight years. • who lives and works in the UK.

Nominations are open until 31 December 2006.

For more information, read our terms and conditions and privacy policy You can only make one nomination. If you make more than one your nomination will be discounted.A summary of the nominations received will be sent to the judging panel, including the numbers of nominations for each individual. The children who write the three nominations we like the best will be invited to the award ceremony in June 2007 and 10 others whose comments we enjoy will be sent book prizes

THE NOMINATION PROCESS:
The selection process for the new Children’s Laureate has begun. Votes are coming in from Children - by votes on line – Click on http://www.booktrusted.co.uk/childrenslaureateOrganisations - representing librarians, critics, writers and booksellers, including the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). The voting process closes on 31 December 2006

The next step:
In March 2007, nominations will be considered by the recently appointed selection panel for the appointment of the Children’s Laureate. The new panel of experts is chaired by Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty and represents different fields in the wide world of children’s literature:
∑ Marilyn Brocklehurst – independent bookseller, Norfolk Children’s Book Centre
∑ Lindsey Fraser – literary agent, critic and member of the Children’s Laureate Steering Committee
∑ John O’Farrell – author and journalist
∑ Phyllis Ramage – children’s librarian, London Borough of Harrow
∑ Dr David Rudd – University of Bolton, academic specialising in children’s literature
∑ Representative from the sponsors, Waterstone’s

The fifth Children’s Laureate, will replace Jacqueline Wilson when she completes her two-year term of office in June 2007. Previous Children’s Laureates - Quentin Blake, Anne Fine and Michael Morpurgo.

‘The appointment of the Children’s Laureate acknowledges the importance of the exceptional children’s authors in creating readers of tomorrow. The selection panel represents and reflects the diverse world of children’s literature.’ Nikki Marsh, Head of Education at Booktrust

‘Waterstone’s is absolutely delighted to be sponsoring the Laureate in 2007 and looks forward to building on the excellent contribution Jacqueline Wilson and former laureates have made.’ Wayne Winstone, Category Manager for Children’s Books at Waterstone’s

The current Children’s Laureate:
During her first year in office it is estimated that Jacqueline Wilson had
· spoken to over 16,000 children at all kinds of events all over the country
· filled 35 days touring in England, Wales and Scotland, going to smaller venues at more remote spots as well as visiting big cities
· spent 54 hours at literary events, conferences and festivals – talking to children and adults and signing books for them· launched the Read Aloud campaign…
. Great Books to Read Aloud, published by Random House (May 2006)· given numerous interviews including Desert Island Discs (16th October 2005)
. A profile of the Children’s Laureate was a South Bank Show Special (5th March 2006)
· discussed what it means to be a Laureate with Andrew Motion, the Poet Laureate (on 28th September 2005)
· presented the Ottakar’s Children’s Book Prize (26th January 2006)
· supported charities – RNIB, Childline, Brake, The Fostering Network, Great Ormond Street Hospital, The NSPCC and Book Aid International

For full details see www.childrenslaureate.org

For further information visit the Booktrust website: www.booktrusted.com

The award is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Waterstones are sole sponsors of the 2005-7 award, which is also supported by the following publishers: Random House, Egmont, Walker Books, Oxford University Press, Scholastic and Puffin.

The award is administered by Booktrust, an independent national charity that encourages people of all ages and cultures to discover and enjoy reading. The reader is at the heart of everything they do.