A new industry group will help promote Australia’s rich tradition of children’s literature.

The Australian Children’s Literature Alliance (ACLA) will focus on creating a national children’s laureate and a website to profile writing for young people.

The ACLA board has been formed, drawing on representatives from publishers, booksellers, creators and major national children’s literature organisations.

The Australia Council funding will support the appointment of a staff member operating out of the State Library of Victoria. The ACLA also receives funding from the Copyright Agency Limited.

ACLA chair Bronwen Bennett said that the new alliance would help promote many of the outstanding success of Australian children’s literature.

‘Australia has a rich tradition in producing the very best children’s writing, from literary greats such as Colin Thiele and Patricia Wrightson through to the irreverent humour of Andy Griffiths. The ACLA will promote and support the value of books and reading for young Australians,’ she said.

‘The creation of a children’s laureate is an exciting initiative, and one that has been hugely successful in boosting children’s literature wherever it has been introduced.’

Australia Council director of literature Susan Hayes will also serve on the ACLA board.

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