Michael has been awarded the PEN Pinter Prize 2023 and was previously named the recipient of the 2021 JM Barrie Lifetime Achievement Award.
Michael Rosen was born in 1946 in North London. One of the best-known figures in the children's book world, he is renowned for his work as a poet, performer, broadcaster and scriptwriter. As an author and by selecting other writers’ works for anthologies he has been involved with over 140 books. He lectures and teaches in universities on children’s literature, reading and writing. Michael is a familiar voice to BBC listeners and is currently presentingWord of Mouth, the magazine programme that looks at the English language and the way we use it. He visits schools with his one-man show to enthuse children with his passion for books and poetry. He was one of the first poets to make visits to schools throughout the UK and has also visited schools throughout the world
In 2007 he was appointed Children's Laureate, a role which he held until 2009. While Laureate, he set up The Children's Funny Prize which give awards to the funniest children's books of the year.
