In 1999 Quentin Blake – You probably know him best as the illustrator of Roald Dahl’s books – Became the first Children’s Laureate. This is an award that is given every two years to an eminent writer or illustrator of children’s books to celebrate their outstanding achievement.

Over the last twenty years there have been ten Children’s Laureates and in this anthology, you will find all ten of them in chronological order writing about their passion. Some have tales to tell, others drawings to share. The book is about igniting a love for reading and captivating children’s imaginations.

Throughout you can find out about how Quentin Blake puts himself in the stories before drawing his fabulous illustrations. How author Anne Fine, who wrote Madame Doubtfire which was adapted to for screen and became Mrs Doubtfire, came to have a love of bookplates. Listen to Micheal Morpurgo, author of War Horse, as he tells children how to find their own voices, plus many more wonderful chapters.

I enjoyed the book immensely, there was something completely different waiting in each chapter, as each one was written by a different author. At the back of the book, there is information on each of the authors and also twenty ideas for creative projects including keeping a doodle diary or making a word wheel.

This is a book that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. Don’t forget people like myself grew up with some of these authors so it was nice to hear about them in their own words and with their own illustrations.

This year there will be events around the country celebrating the twentieth anniversary of Children’s Laureate. Whether you can attend one or not you really should be picking up this book as it will make you smile and bring you so much joy.

The ten Children’s laureates are – Quentin Blake, Anne Fine, Michael Morpurgo, Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Rosen, Anthony Browne, Julia Donaldson, Malorie Blackman, Chris Riddell, and Lauren Child.