Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson gets MBE in Queen's Birthday Honours

Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson, appointed Children's Laureate last week, was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours on Saturday

Julia Donaldson has begun her Laureateship by announcing her support for next year's National Library Day, which follows on from February's Save Our Libraries Day in which events were held across the country in support of libraries threatened with closure as a resut of cuts in government funding. She has also said that she intends to take a tour of UK libraries.

Accepting the Waterstone's Children's Laureateship last week, Julia said: 'I care very much about libraries and I'm looking for more opportunities to speak out against the cuts and closures I see as so damaging to our children's future.'

Julia has written more than 120 books for children, and was recognised on the Honours list as an 'author and playwright.'

Website: www.juliadonaldson.co.uk