The five best children’s books of all time, according to Patrice Lawrence

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. “It’s a truly collaborative book too. Dapo Adeola, an award-winning illustrator himself, invited a gallery of artists to illustrate his words. A warm, life-enhancing read.” The Spick and the Span by Pil Van Martin “I started reading this while I was waiting to get my nails done. I was really tempted to let the next person go ahead of me so I could continue with the book. In the city of Helm, who clears up the magical mess after the wizards have been too enthusiastic with the spells? That would be Ward, and other ambitious cleaners vying to join the League of Cleaners. But then Ward’s best friend disappears and magic-munching monsters start tearing gaps in reality… There’s more than a hint of Terry Pratchett in this deliciously funny and imaginative tale.” Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian, illustrated by Nasaya Mafaridik “Another laugh-out-loud book but for younger readers. The author wanted to write funny stories like Liz Pichon’s Tom Gates series but starring Muslim children like her own. She initially had to set up her own publishing company to get this book into children’s hands. It’s now a series published by major publishers and has even been adapted into a stage show. This tender, funny story about friends, family and an invisible dragon proves that humour is universal.” Girl, Ultra-Processed by Amara Sage “This is definitely one for older teen readers. I love books with strong narrative voices and the main protagonist, Saffron, made me laugh. “Every year, Saffron makes a resolution – to lose weight. All Saffron’s friends are thin. Saffron’s mum is now thin and is a very enthusiastic advocate for a weight loss programme. She wants Saffron to be thin too. Because Saffron has always been told that weight loss will make her happy, she even creates an ultra-slim AI-generated version of herself on the internet. But the line between her real and her online life starts to blur. “This is a tale about female friendship and resisting body shaming – as well as a spicy romance – narrated by an irreverent teenager.” The History of Information by Chris Haughton “Something completely different but a must-read for adults, children and young people trying to process the constant bombardment of online information. “This is a beautifully designed book that charts technological progress through the centuries. It explains the way that communication shapes our view of the world, from the inception of language through to mass communication, propaganda and AI. I’m completely in awe of it.” Patrice Lawrence is the Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2026-2028