Laura Dockrill
Writer/Children's Author/Illustrator
Photograph: Orfhlaith Whelan
Books
Film, TV & Theatre
Voiceover
Books
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.
Recent Publications:
ANGRY COOKIE (6th September 2018, Walker)
Prepare to fall absolutely in love with this irresistible cookie, crumbly chocolate chips and all.
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? This is a wildly inventive, interactive, laugh-out-loud tale brings Laura Dockrill's one-of-a-kind voice and Maria Karipidou's hilarious illustrations to the Walker list.
BIG BONES (8th March 2018, Hot Key Books)
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.
MY MUM'S GROWING DOWN (3rd August 2017, Faber)
She says 'I've worked so hard for years and I deserve a rest!'
As she scribbles with crayons and pours custard down her dress,
She's dangling from the banister with her head upside-down!
Does your Mum do this?
Help! My Mum's growing DOWN!
Mum is a gamer, a party animal and a free spirit making life hard work for her nine year old son. These poems are a glimpse into their parent child relationship; their antics and adventures. The poems are bold, brave, funny and some - very moving. This collection shows just how funny, rude and naughty mums can be! It's Dahl meets Dr Seuss meets Colin McNaughton with a sprinkling of Absolutely Fabulous.
Film, TV & Theatre
Laura co-wrote Goldfish which was nominated for the BAFTA for Best British Short in 2020. Her first book for adults, I Love You, I Love You, I Love You will be published in 2024.
Her other publications include Punk Rocker Poodle and My Mum’s Growing Down (Faber), The Lipstick and The Angry Cookie (Walker Books), Big Bones (Hot Key), Aurabel and Lorali (Hot Key) and the hugely popular five-book Darcy Burdock series (Corgi). She has twice been nominated for the Carnegie Medal.
As a playwright her work has been seen at the Watermill Theatre, Wigmore Hall, Bush Theatre, the Royal Festival Hall and the Young Vic. She studied scriptwriting at the Royal Court and Soho Theatre.
In Development
Production | Company | Notes |
---|---|---|
ANIMATION FEATURE 2024 | On The Edge | |
ANIMATION FEATURE 2024 | Bottle Cap XYZ/N9ne Studio | |
FEATURE 2024 | Film 4 | |
I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU 2024 | Double Dutch |
Short Films
Production | Company | Notes |
---|---|---|
2019 | Haus Pictures | Dir. Hector Dockrill |
2016 | British Council | Part of 'Star Cross'd' |
Theatre
Production | Company | Notes |
---|---|---|
2023 | Old Vic | Play Your Part |
2021 | Half Moon Theatre | Dir. Chris Elwell |
2018 | Watermill Theatre | Dir. Laura Keefe |
2018 | Wigmore Hall | Music by Kerry Andrew |
ABOUT THAT LIFE 2014 | Young Vic | R&D Project |
HEAT&LIGHT PROJECT 2012 | Hampstead Theatre | Writer & Deviser |
66 BOOKS: MATTHEW 2011 | Bush Theatre | Writer |
OBEY 2011 | Phrased & Confused | Writer & Performer |
GLUE MOUTH 2011 | Royal Festival Hall | Writer & Performer |
UGLY SHY GIRLS 2010 | Royal Festival Hall | Writer & Performer |
Television
Production | Company | Notes |
---|---|---|
BLUE PETER 2014 | BBC 1 | Writer & Performer of 'The Boy Who Left his Smile at Home' |
RANDOM ACTS: LEGACY 2013 | Channel 4 | Writer, Illustrator & Performer |
RHYME ROCKET 2012 | BBC Cbeebies | Writer & Performer |
Radio
Production | Company | Notes |
---|---|---|
TWENTY MINUTES: MAKING FRIENDS 2013 | BBC Radio 3 | Writer & Performer |
AFTERNOON READING: THE DELETION 2013 | BBC Radio 4 | Writer & Performer |
EARWIG 2011 | BBC Radio 4 | Writer & Performer |
Promos
Production | Company | Notes |
---|---|---|
ARE YOU AN ANIMAL PERSON? 2012 | Lush | Writer & Performer |
I BET LEONARDO DI CAPRIO WEARS A RUCKSACK 2011 | Eastpak | Writer & Performer |
STRICT 2010 | Oasis | Writer & Performer |