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British children's author Frank Cottrell-Boyce has been named the Children's Laureate for 2024-2026.

The special role is awarded every two years to a well-known writer or illustrator in recognition of their talent.

They work to improve reading opportunities for all children across the UK.

Frank Cottrell-Boyce was presented with a one of a kind silver medal by the outgoing Laureate and award-winning performance poet, playwright and children’s author, Joseph Coelho at a special awards ceremony in Leeds on Tuesday.

Frank has said he'll be dedicating his time as Children's Laureate to starting a much needed national conversation about the role books and reading can play in transforming children’s lives.

"I am hoping to draw attention to how important it is to have a good experience of books early in your life, and what an enormous advantage your parents, or your carers, or your big siblings or your teachers are giving you - if they read to you when you're very little," Frank told Newsround.

"We know from all kinds of research that children who are comfortable around books when they're very young not only do better educationally, but do better in terms of being happy, because our children's stories are great at causing us to be happy."

Frank Cottrell-Boyce, lives in Liverpool and is a multi-award-winning children’s author.

His very first novel, Millions was published in 2004 and won the CILIP Carnegie Medal - awarded for an outstanding book written in English for children and young people.

The book was also made into a movie which Frank featured in.

The children's author has written a number of other books including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again, Cosmic, Framed, The Astounding Broccoli Boy, Runaway Robot and The Wonder Brothers.

Frank has also written for programmes like Doctor Who, and for films including Goodbye Christopher Robin. He even co-wrote Queen Elizabeth II's famous Platinum Jubilee sketch featuring Paddington Bear!

The role of the Children's Laureate is all about promoting the importance of reading and books for children.

It celebrates creativity and storytelling, and champions the right of every child to enjoy books and stories.

"Writing and reading has transformed my life," said Frank following the announcement he would be the new Children's Laureate.

"I’m privileged to visit schools up and down the country – to read to children, and to see a Britain that is innovative, eccentric, funny, up for it, open-hearted."

However, Frank has also seen how poverty and inequality can lead to some children missing out on books and reading.

"For too long, the life-changing benefits of children’s reading have not been taken seriously. And now – as our children face an unknown future – we risk losing a generation unless we act.

"So, my tenure as Waterstones Children’s Laureate will have happiness at its heart, but it will be about urgency.

"It will be about addressing invisible privilege and inequality."

The Children's Laureate is chosen by a panel of judges.

The panel takes into consideration nominations put forward by lots of different types of organisations, representing a range of people involved in the worlds of reading and writing.

This includes writers, librarians and booksellers.

Following the submission of the nominations, the panel then chooses who they think should take on the position.

Frank Cottrell-Boyce's appointment makes him the 13th UK Children’s Laureate.

He'll be following in the footsteps of a long list of big names including Quentin Blake, Michael Morpurgo, Jacqueline Wilson, Julia Donaldson, Malorie Blackman, Chris Riddell and Cressida Cowell.