Did you all know already that the new Children's Laureate is ....

[roisin]

...Michael Rosen

I missed the announcement.

Such an improvement on the previous one! I am delighted.

bump

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I like SNORE though.

(think it was Morpurgo)

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The Sad Book is fantastic, Cod. Great for discussing death with kids if you sadly ever have to.

Jacqueline Wilson was the last one.
Michael Morpurgo before that.
Then another I think, can't remember.
Quentin Blake was the first.

We have the sad book too - good for discussing emotions with children.

It was Jacqueline Wilson and she is ACE.

oops cross posts

I went to a reading workshop on Wednesday and the poet speaker read some of Michael Rosen's quirky poems about his son, Eddie, as a toddler. I was filling up, which was quite embarrassing, as I think I was the only person in the room who knew that he'd died

God, that Sad Book is devastating I can hardly read it myself

Jacqueline W is a superb children's author. You can't mess with her books

Sorry but JW is not ace

I think she's marvellous and all the children I know adore her. Why don't you like her roisin?

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Really? Please do explain about JW I truly want to know. Have you read her stuff or you just think it is trashy?

Story of Eddie is here

Don't read if you're feeling very fragile: it's pretty grim - he died very suddenly at the age of 18 from meningitis.

I'm not mad about JW but ds1 adores them all, so who am I to quibble with that?

Not read Sad book, but we've had another book of poems about school by Michael Rosen, didn't really take off here. I'll go and look into him further.

My favourite was Anne Fine, the second Laureate. Excellent funny/sad writer for both children and adults. I have a few Michael Morporgo books too. Haven't really explored Jackeline Wilson, but I know she is much loved by girls (I'm sure dd will be reading her in a few years).

By girls and my ds1 nooka! Michael Morpurgo is THE MAN.

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YG I agree that children who only read JW stick out a mile in their own creative work, but that could be said for fans of any author

Noel Streatfeild was incredibly formulaic and samey, but a fabulously enjoyable children's writer

Oh I think it's great when children mimic a writers style. It shows a proper understanding of what that writer's style is. So far we've had mini J.K Rowlings, Jeremy Strongs, Francesca Simon's and Jacqueline Wilsons.
I know I wrote for years like Enid Blyton myself.

But not I realize, a mini Michael Rosen. Hmmm.