Patrice Lawrence
Patrice Lawrence was our Writer in Residence from September 2024 to March 2025. Patrice Lawrence is a writer for children and young people who is passionate about social justice. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked for charities that promoted the rights of children, families and adults that often go unheard. Her books have been shortlisted for and won a number of major prizes including the YA Prize, the Waterstones Prize for Older Children's Fiction, the Jhalak Prize for Children and Young People and the Little Rebels Children's Award. She has been awarded an MBE for Literature and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
Patrice Lawrence says:
"We live in a world that isn’t just and children often bear the brunt of that inequality. 4.3 million children in the UK are living in poverty, an all-time high. Some children such as Black, Asian/British Asian and Gypsy and Traveller-heritage children are disproportionately affected. Around 120,000 children are young carers, and there are many children recovering from traumatic experiences, including bereavement and family separation.
So why focus on the benefits of books when so many children need a safe, nurturing environment?
Firstly, I believe that every child deserves books that make them gasp with laughter, thrill with adventure and widen their horizons so they can gaze at the world from new perspectives. Books take us out of ourselves; books can be our buffer during tough times.
Secondly, children’s books should reflect the world we live in. Why not immerse ourselves in the hopes, fears and ambitions of children who are refugees, or care-experienced or affected by family imprisonment.They will feel like their stories matter. And others will be able to empathise, understand and advocate for change.
Lastly, there is the pure joy of children and adults reading books together. Shared book-reading has proven positive benefits on children’s social, cognitive and emotional wellbeing. The children that are trying to strive in spite of the challenges in their lives need these benefits even more.
In the next six months, as BookTrust Writer in Residence, I will try to give a voice to children pushed to the edge of our society. I’ll also make book recommendations. And hopefully, we can have a conversation about how books can change the world for the better."
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Camilla Reid announced as BookTrust’s first ever Baby-and-Toddler Writer in Residence
Author Camilla Reid will take up post as BookTrust's next Writer in Residence – the first Baby-and-Toddler author to have the role.
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Goodbye to our Writer in Residence Patrice Lawrence and congratulations to her competition winners!
Our outgoing Writer in Residence Patrice Lawrence says goodbye and announces the winners of her competition.
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Books to help adults empathise with children facing challenging home circumstances
Our Writer in Residence Patrice Lawrence shares a few books to help adults empathise with children facing challenging home circumstances
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Writer in Residence Patrice Lawrence announces her writing competition
Send in your stories or poems to enter her writing competition.
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Books about change and transition
Our Writer in Residence Patrice Lawrence recommends eight books that might help children going through changing circumstances.
From pandemics to war, world news can sometimes seem rather bleak, leaving many children feeling anxious and despondent. This superb, upbeat book redresses the balance, highlighting amazing news stories from around the globe.
A beautifully tender story about love, art and death, set in India.
Mae bachgen yn byw mewn pentref bach yn yr India gyda'i dadaji (taid). Maen nhw'n gwneud popeth gyda'i gilydd – o werthu ffrwythau yn y farchnad i hwylio cychod papur. Ond yn fwy na dim, maen nhw wrth eu boddau'n paentio gyda'i gilydd.
A young girl wonders what would happen if she showed her book to a real dinosaur. This entertaining tale celebrates the joy of reading and demonstrates how books can fuel the imagination.
This fun financial handbook aims to encourage children to develop good money habits from an early age.
This inspirational non-fiction picture book introduces children to extraordinary people from across the world and throughout history. Selected from a range of disciplines, the 15 featured individuals are united by common themes of hard work and perseverance.
Rehearsals are under way for the big production of Hey Diddle Diddle, but Cow is not ready for the spotlight. A hilarious read aloud with a special message for little ones – the importance of peer encouragement, bravery and not fearing failure.
We’ve Got This!: Six Steps to Build Your Empathy Superpower
Split into six chapters, We’ve Got This! explores what empathy is, how it works, using empathy, learning to recognise emotions, being a good communicator and, finally, puts it all together to help you become an empathy superhero.
Read more about We’ve Got This!: Six Steps to Build Your Empathy Superpower
Previous Writers in Residence
Previous writers to take up the post include Matt Haig, Laura Dockrill, Cressida Cowell, Chris Riddell and Patrick Ness – see what fun things they all got up to during their time in residence.
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