Shireen will focus on inclusivity and humour in new BookTrust role

Nadia Shireen will encourage inclusivity in children’s books, as well as promote the importance of funny books, in her new role as author and illustrator in residence at BookTrust.

The picture book creator, who takes over from Taran Matharu, will hold the post for six months.

“I couldn’t be more delighted to be BookTrust’s new writer-in-residence, mainly because one of my favourite things in the world is talking about myself,” she said. “Sadly, BookTrust has quietly taken me to one side and told me that a) I’m not actually moving in with them and b) I’m not allowed to just write a series of blogs detailing how great I am.

“With that in mind, I’ve grudgingly decided to use my residency to focus on a couple of areas of personal interest. First, I want to celebrate funny books; from silly picture books to witty novels and everything in between. Secondly, I feel it’s really important that every young reader can see themselves represented in the books they read – regardless of gender, ethnicity or social class. And while it’s important for us grown-ups to keep talking about it, it’s even more important to get children involved in actually changing things."

During her residency Shireen will ask other writers about how they make people laugh, as well as reveal how she makes her picture books.

The news comes after Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall, urged parents to read to their children every day in an article for World Book Day. Writing in the Sunday Express, she said: “Children’s books show us worlds of wizards and muggles, Gangsta Grannies and Big Friendly Giants, Paddington Bear and hairy hobbits, hungry caterpillars and tigers who come to tea. And through these exciting new worlds and amazing characters, they can also show us our own world and help us to understand the people who live in it.

“Reading to our children and our grandchildren is something we can all try to do every day of the year. Not only does it give us pleasure but it leads them on a voyage of discovery and enrichment that only books can bring.”

The BookTrust “Writer in Residence” project has been running since March 2009 and has featured several authors and illustrators such as Cressida Cowell, Sita Brahmachari, Patrick Ness, Polly Dunbar, Bali Rai, Matt Haig, Laura Dockrill, Chris Riddell, Sarah McIntyre, Philip Ardagh and Phil Earle.