Robinson named BookTrust writer in residence

Award-winning author Michelle Robinson will be the new writer in residence at BookTrust.

“Robinson’s core mission during her residency with BookTrust is to encourage children and grown-ups to ‘have fun reading together’,” the reading charity said.

“For the next six months, she will produce tips and activities for experiencing the pure joy of sharing picture books together. She will offer practical suggestions for making shared reading feel like something to look forward to, as an exciting opportunity to connect, laugh and make memories.”

Robinson is the author of picture books that are "perfect for sharing and reading aloud", BookTrust said, including The World Made a Rainbow (Bloomsbury), illustrated by Emily Hamilton, There’s a Lion in my Cornflakes (Bloomsbury), illustrated by Jim Field, and the Goodnight Spaceman series (Penguin Random House), illustrated by Nick East. She has won several awards, including the Lollies Laugh Out Loud Book Awards in 2020 and several of her books have been featured in BookTrust’s work across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The organisation said of her selection as writer in residence: “The energy, rhythm and enticing concepts of Robinson’s picture books make them a powerful tool for sparking interest and enthusiasm for sharing stories – supporting BookTrust’s mission to getting every child reading regularly and by choice."

Robinson said: “I still remember how wonderful it felt to be read to as a child. Any worries or stresses were put away when a grown-up found five minutes to sit still, pick up a book and read me a story. I felt safe, loved and relaxed, because the books we shared made us laugh, together.

“I’m happy to be BookTrust’s writer in residence. I come from a low-income background so BookTrust’s mission really strikes a chord with me. I’m living proof that books, libraries and the nurturing of literacy skills at an early age can take even the most unlikely child a very long way.

“I’ll be sharing tips and practical demos on how to make reading fun – for children and grown-ups. I hope you’ll enjoy my ideas and that you have fun creating some happy reading memories of your own.”

Diana Gerald, c.e.o. of BookTrust, commented: “We’re delighted Michelle will use her time as BookTrust’s Writer in Residence to raise awareness of how much fun reading together can be! Sharing stories with children during their early years is vital for supporting a love of stories, parent-child bonding and early language development.

"Michelle has a personal connection to BookTrust’s mission and is committed to helping all children get the most out of reading. We hope children and adults enjoy her ideas for making story time memorable and fun."

The charity emphasised the importance of reading with children. “Research shows that when adults read with children, it has a powerful effect. When a child sees an adult getting involved and enjoying a story, they enjoy it too. Interactive reading helps relationships form, and supports children’s language and cognitive development, yielding benefits from as early as two weeks.

“This is why over the past year, BookTrust has distributed more than half a million of its Bookstart Baby packs to children during their first year, and partnered with early years settings across the country to support more than 340,000 low-income families with children aged 1-4 with its Bookstart Toddler and Bookstart Preschooler packs of expertly selected books, resources and activities which inspire families to share stories together.”

The BookTrust writer in residence project has been running since March 2009 and has featured several authors and illustrators including Cressida Cowell, Chris Riddell, Dapo Adeola and Michael Rosen among others.