Patrice Lawrence won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for her debut Orangeboy, about 16-year-old Londoner Marlon, who finds himself entangled in a criminal underworld after a first date he goes on ends in brutality. Ten years later, with a further 16 books for young people under her belt, Lawrence has been named Children’s Laureate, taking over from Frank Cottrell-Boyce.
She plans to spend her time in the role highlighting how reading can create commonality in divided times, and give a sense of belonging to children who feel on the outside of society.
So which are the children’s books she holds closest to her heart? Here, she shares her five favourites for young people, books she says are “collaborative, inclusive and fun”, three words she also hopes will mark out her stint as laureate.
Hey You! by Dapo Adeola
“Seeing books like this when I was a child would have given me so much joy and confidence: a love letter to Black children, celebrating their importance in this world as uncomfortable discussions continue about how children’s lives are valued differently according to their ethnic background. Hey You! also champions diverse family structures. Lone families, same-sex parents – all are included.
