Each Laureate uses their tenure to focus on an aspect of children's books – these have included poetry, storytelling, readers with disabilities and illustration.
The post stemmed from a discussion between the poet laureate Ted Hughes and children's writer Michael Morpurgo.
A selection panel considers nominations from a range of organisations representing librarians and sellers, including the International Board on Books for Young People.
Boori Monty Pryor and Alison Lester were announced in Adelaide in December 2011, with Noni Hazlehurst as patron.
In January 2008, the Library of Congress inaugurated its National Ambassador for Young People's Literature scheme, as the U.S. equivalent of the Children's Laureate.