Beloved children’s author steps into Laureate role with a focus on the “horizon-expanding and life-enhancing joys” of reading.
The Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation (ACLF) has today announced Australian children’s author Andy Griffiths as the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2026 and 2027.
One of Australia’s most beloved and bestselling writers for young readers, Andy has written 43 books to date and sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. His books include the internationally bestselling Treehouse series (illustrated by Terry Denton), along with the Just! series, the BUM trilogy and the YOU & ME series (illustrated by Bill Hope), all of which have captivated millions of children with their anarchic, laugh-out-loud storytelling.
The Children’s Laureate is the national ambassador for reading and Australian children’s literature, championing important issues affecting the entire industry, including creators, reading advocates, educators, librarians, booksellers and publishers.
Appointed every two years to promote the importance and transformational power of reading, imagination and story in the lives of young Australians, the Children’s Laureate spends extensive time speaking directly with children, families, education specialists, government ministers and librarians, in both metropolitan and regional communities across the country.
Every Laureate has a mission for their two-year term. Andy’s mission statement for 2026 and 2027 is Reading is an Adventure. Watch an introduction video with Andy here.
“As Australian Children’s Laureate for 2026 and 2027, I’m looking forward to travelling to every state and territory to share some of my favourite ways to have adventures with words, pictures and ideas in the hope that I can encourage as many young people as possible to experience the horizon-expanding and life-enhancing joys of reading, writing, drawing and imaginative play.”
– Andy Griffiths, 2026-27 Children’s Laureate
Andy will launch his Laureate Program at a special ceremony at the State Library of NSW on Tuesday, 24 February at 12:00pm AEDT to a live audience of children, invited guests and streamed online around Australia.
Australia Reads congratulates Andy Griffiths and looks forward to working with the Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation to get more Aussie kids to fall in love with reading.