Michael Rosen to promote the importance of reading to under-fives in new role

Rosen will be appointed as BookTrust’s Writer in Residence on Tuesday (1 March), which provides a platform for writers and illustrators to explore issues that they are passionate about and use their creativity to inspire children and families to read together. The children’s writer and performance poet is planning on using the role, which lasts six months, as an opportunity to highlight the benefits and fun of reading with babies and toddlers.

A long-standing champion for children’s reading, Rosen performed a one-man show to schools across the country for a number of years to enthuse children with his passion for books and poetry. In 2007, he took on the role of Waterstones Children’s Laureate, where he developed the Perform-a-Poem website in association with the London Grid for Learning.

Michael Rosen said, ‘I am really looking forward to being resident at BookTrust. We know that helping children start life playing with words, poems and songs is the perfect way to become a confident speaker and writer. Under-fives soak up language and we can help make that happen by sharing books with them. I want to do all I can to offer some ideas and inspiration to help carers, teachers and anyone who works with under-fives.’

Diana Gerald, chief executive of BookTrust, commented, ‘We’re delighted to welcome Michael as our latest Writer in Residence. His books have inspired a generation of young readers and are loved by children and adults alike. Michael is a household name and is respected throughout schools and libraries across the world, using his platform to bring his own love of stories and language to so many people.’

The BookTrust Writer in Residence project has been running since March 2009 and has featured several authors and illustrators including Cressida Cowell, Polly Dunbar and Nadia Shireen.