Andy Griffiths Named Australian Children's Laureate 2026–2027
Andy Griffiths, one of Australia's most beloved and bestselling children's authors, has been named the ninth Australian Children's Laureate for 2026–2027. The creator of the internationally bestselling Treehouse series — illustrated by Terry Denton and loved by millions of young readers worldwide, including a huge following in the UK — Griffiths takes over from outgoing Laureate Sally Rippin.
His mission for the two-year term is "Reading is an Adventure". "Reading has always been an adventure to me," Griffiths said. "As a child, books were like portals to other worlds that I might never otherwise have visited — or even imagined. I'm looking forward to travelling to every state and territory to share some of my favourite ways to have adventures with words, pictures and ideas in the hope that I can encourage as many young people as possible to experience the horizon-expanding and life-enhancing joys of reading, writing, drawing and imaginative play."
Griffiths has written 43 books and sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. His works include the Treehouse series (with Terry Denton), the JUST! books, and most recently the YOU & ME adventure series (with illustrator Bill Hope). The Treehouse books alone have won over 80 children's choice awards internationally and are published in the UK by Pan Macmillan. His new book, LET'S GO, a writing and drawing title created with Bill Hope, was released on 24 February to coincide with the start of his Laureate term.
With the UK's Year of Reading in full swing, Griffiths's appointment is a timely reminder of the power of Australian children's literature to inspire young readers everywhere. His wildly popular, laugh-out-loud books — packed with anarchic humour, cartoon-style illustrations and irresistible storytelling — are the perfect way to get kids discovering that reading really is an adventure. The Treehouse series is widely recommended by UK educators and features on BookTrust's reading lists.
The Australian Children's Laureate is the national ambassador for reading and Australian children's literature, appointed every two years by the Australian Children's Laureate Foundation (ACLF). Previous laureates include Morris Gleitzman, Jackie French, Ursula Dubosarsky and Gabrielle Wang. The initiative was developed following the successful model of the UK Children's Laureate.
Griffiths launched his Laureate programme at a ceremony at the State Library of NSW on 24 February, streamed live to audiences around Australia.