'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Tuesday 13 December 2011

News: Australia's First Children's Laureates


Double the stories, double the fun as two champions of Aussie storytelling and literacy announced.

Much-loved children’s authors Alison Lester and Boori Monty Pryor have been announced as the first Australian Children’s Laureates at the launch of the initiative in Adelaide. Both are talented and award-winning storytellers who bring a wealth of experience and creativity to the position – Alison as a renowned author and illustrator, and Boori as a celebrated author, performer, dancer and poet.

This prestigious national honour, the first of its kind in this country, was awarded at the launch on 10 December by the Hon. Grace Portolesi, SA Minister for Education and Child Development and iconic children’s presenter Noni Hazlehurst, and is the culmination of the work by the Australian Children’s
Literature Alliance (ACLA) to promote the transformational power of reading, creativity and story in the lives of young Australians.

ACLA is a not-for-profit venture between children’s book creators and advocates, including authors, publishers, booksellers, librarians, teacher librarians, literacy organisations, private benefactors and the federal and state governments.

The Australian Children’s Laureate award will see an outstanding author or illustrator of children’s literature appointed every two years to encourage children to read and be part of an active literary culture for enjoyment, wellbeing and success in life.

Learn more here.