A British Childhood - Frank Cottrell-Boyce in conversation

We're absolutley thrilled to be welcoming former UK Children's Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce to Stockport for the launch of his timely and important new book A British Childhood - a searing account of our failure to look after the nations most vulnerable citizens and a call to arms for all of us to protectthe innocence of childhood.

Frank will be dicussing the book, his time as Children's Laureate, and reflecting on his own childhood.

Thetalk will be followed by an audience Q&A and book-signing.Tickets are 8.00 each or 16.99 including a copy of A British Childhood .Event starts at 6:30pm (doors at 6pm)About the book:During his time as Childrens Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce visited schools that had been forced to make permanent homes in temporary buildings, where teachers doubled up as social workers, therapists and nutritionists.

He talked to children abandoned within the prison system, seen to have forfeited their right to the second chance a good education might provide.

He met families shuttled from one hotel room to another as they awaited the outcome of asylum decisions.

And he talked to the extraordinary array of people working to change the fortunes of the young people around them.These encounters prompted him to reflect on his own upbringing in Merseyside, the difference literature made to his early years, and how, during his lifetime, childhood in Britain has been transformed.

He shows how the connections we make and the sense of community are so vital to our future adult selves, and how, in the twenty-first century, these connections have become increasingly frayed.About the author:Frank Cottrell-Boyce, UK Children's Laureate 20242026, is a multi award-winning childrens book author and screenwriter.

Millions, his debut children's novel, won the prestigious CILIP Carnegie Medal.His other books includeCosmic,Framed,The Astounding Broccoli Boy,Sputniks Guide to Life on Earth,Runaway Robot,Noahs GoldandThe Wonder Brothers.

He has enjoyed a long-standing collaboration with award-winning illustrator Steven Lenton.

His books have been shortlisted for a multitude of prizes, including the Guardian Childrens Fiction Prize, the Whitbread Childrens Fiction Award, The Roald Dahl Funny Prize and the Blue Peter Book Award.Frank is also a highly successful screenwriter.

He has written for the hit TV series Dr Who and his script for Michael Morpurgos Kensukes Kingdom won a British Animation Award.

Along with Danny Boyle, he devised the Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics.

Frank has been the judge for the 500 Words competition and the BBC's One Show As You Write It competition.

Frank is a lifelong champion of childrens books.

His podcast with co host Nadia Shireen, The Island of Brilliant!, celebrates writing and illustration for children of all ages.

He lives in Merseyside with his family.