Agent
Associate Agent
Assistant
Biography
Laura Dockrill is an award winning author and illustrator. The first in her Darcy Burdock series was shortlisted for the Waterstones Book of the Year prize and her most recent young adult novel, Big Bones, was released in 2018. Her previous works Mistakes in the Background, Ugly Shy Girl and Echoes earned her plaudits like ‘Top 10 Literary Talent’ from The Times newspaper and ‘Top 20 Hot Faces to Watch’ from Elle magazine.
Laura has appeared on a host of TV programmes; CBeebies, Blue Peter, Newsnight and BBC Breakfast to name a few. In 2013 she also wrote, performed and illustrated a ‘Random Act’ for Channel 4.
Her radio prowess spans across the entire BBC network, having performed works on Radio 1 through 6 including Woman’s Hour and Open Book. Her radio commissioned work includes short stories for Radio 4 and is a poet in residence for Radio 1.
She is on the advisory panel at The Ministry Of Stories, and has judged many literary prizes including the John Betjeman Poetry Prize, BBC National Short Story Prize and the BAFTA Children’s Prize.
Laura is embarking on her fifth year of mentoring with the charity First Story, and was the writer in residence for Booktrust. Other commissioned work has seen Laura collaborate with Lush, Oasis, Bacardi, EastPak and Irregular Choice. She is also the founder of ‘This Is Not a Female Tribe’ a networking session for women in the arts, previously held at London’s Southbank Centre.
For information about Laura’s writing for adults, click here.
Sockflea (2026)
This little elephant is GOING CAMPING! And no, DAD, he will not need his teddies – he’s FIVE. Besides, you don’t need teddies out in the wild, OK? Not even when it is dark (so dark) and the sky is endless black and there are scrunchy-crunchy noises all around…
This little elephant is going camping. He’s never been before and he can’t wait for marshmallows on sticks, singing by the campfire and sleeping under the stars! When his grown-up asks, “Now, are you sure you don’t want to bring a teddy?” He’s SURE. He’s way too old for for teddies. So, goodbye and good luck Mr Conkie, Gladys the hedgehog, Sugarpie and Bad Debbie (who really is bad) and it’s all sun’s out, tent up, fire lit … oh yeah. But when night comes … it’s so quiet, and dark and spooky in the tent and – guess what? – HE WANTS HIS TEDDIES! Luckily, quick-thinking Dad comes up with the perfect solution: Sockflea! Two (slightly smelly) socks become – ta-da! – a loveable rabbit. The perfect sock teddy for cosying up to.
Goofy, deliciously funny and very relatable, Laura Dockrill and Eva Byrne have made a true laugh-out-loud picture book about being brave and adventuring in the great outdoors.
Gallery
Publications
Selected Publications
OH NO! Barbra the cactus won’t stop playing her recorder, the yummy strawberry toothpaste has run out, and now – to top it all off – Cookie has to have his hair cut! Which all makes for one VERY ANGRY little cookie… But perhaps you, the reader, can find a way to turn his grumpy frown upside down?
An iconic picture book collaboration about feelings and acceptance from two of the most beloved voices in children’s literature.
Beautifully crafted compositions together with simple die-cut design, reveal the story of a child who feels as though all their colours have disappeared. Despite the joyful orange balloon, the huge yellow sun and the bright green trees, the child still feels grey. That is until a reassuring hand reaches out and shares words of kindness. Soon the child begins to see the warmth of colour again, and understands that their colours will always be there and that they will always be loved, whether they feel grey or sunshine yellow. Laura and Lauren have created a beautiful book full of empathy and understanding that will provide comfort and hope to readers of all ages.
Shortlisted for the YA Book Prize 2019
The heartwarming new novel from the sparkling Laura Dockrill, introducing Bluebelle, and her moving, hilarious take on food, body image and how we look after ourselves and others.
It’s a food diary. I have to tell the truth. That’s the point.
Bluebelle, aka BB, aka Big Bones – is a sixteen-year-old girl encouraged to tackle her weight even though she’s perfectly happy, thank you, and getting on with her life and in love with food. Then a tragedy in the family forces BB to find a new relationship with her body and herself…
Tuck in for best mates, belly laughs, boys and the best Bakewell tart.
Ten-year-old Darcy Burdock is one of life’s noticers. Curious, smart, funny and fiercely loyal, she sees the extraordinary in the everyday and the wonder in the world around her.
In this first book, we are introduced to her family: Mum, who Darcy loves as much as her favourite fried egg and chips, Dad, who is kind and fair if a bit hopeless, and little siblings Hector and Poppy, who Darcy likes dressing up in ridiculous outfits and having dance-offs with, respectively. Plus there’s her pet lamb, Lamb-Beth and best friend, Will, to have adventures with.
Darcy learns that turning into an angrosaurus-rex and causing chaos just gets you in trouble, it’s best not to throw a massive strop just before your surprise birthday party, Halloween is all about spider costumes and having a pumpkin with a wonky eye, and if you’re ever in a situation where you’re not sure what to do, you should write a story around it, and the truth will be illuminated by your imagination.
