Andrew Motion, the Poet Laureate and Chair of Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), is to chair the selection panel for the sixth Children’s Laureate, who will succed Michael Rosen later this year. The panel comprises Sarah Clarke – Children’s Buying Manager, Waterstone’s; Julia Eccleshare – children’s book critic, Co-Director of the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, who will represent the Children’s Laureate committee; Nikki Heath – SLA School Librarian of the Year 2008, librarian at Werneth School, Stockport; Jake Hope – Children’s Librarian for Lancashire Libraries and a freelance consultant; Fiona Smith – representing the Federation of Children’s Book Groups; and Charles Butler – Senior Lecturer, University of the West of England.

The result of their deliberations will be announced on 9 June.

The award is now funded by the MLA with sponsorship from Waterstone's, and administered by Booktrust, for which Nikki Marsh, Head of Education Projects, commented: "Booktrust and the Children’s Laureate committee are delighted that Waterstone’s has agreed to continue supporting the Laureate for two more years, and we look forward to working closely with Waterstone’s on the sponsorship."