Show Notes
In this special episode of Tom’s Book Club: Behind The Books, Tom talks to Patrice Lawrence, the newly appointed Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2026–2028, about children’s books, reading, representation and the power of stories to make young people feel seen and heard.
Patrice Lawrence is the award-winning author of Orangeboy, Needle, Is That Your Mama?, Granny Came Here on the Empire Windrush and Our Story Starts in Africa. A decade after the publication of Orangeboy, she takes on one of the most important roles in British children’s literature.
In this conversation, Patrice discusses what it means to become Children’s Laureate, her plans for the role, and the importance of children seeing themselves reflected in books.
Patrice also reflects on her own childhood reading, the books that shaped her, the realities of writing for children today, and why she still feels guilty about an encounter with a Doctor Who companion. 📚 Buy books discussed on the podcast through the Tom’s Book Club Bookshop.org page: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/TomsBookClub
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