Laura Dockrill

Writer/Children's Author/Illustrator

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Photograph: Orfhlaith Whelan

Books

Agent: Emily Talbot
Associate Agent: Molly Jamieson
Assistant: Amber Garvey

Film, TV & Theatre

Assistant: Isobel Davis (Maternity Cover)

Voiceover

Assistant: Amber Hill
Associate Agent: Jennifer Karniely

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

ProductionCompanyNotes

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

ProductionCompanyNotes
2019

Haus Pictures

Dir. Hector Dockrill
Co-written with Hector Dockrill
Nominated for British British Short Film at 2020 BAFTA Awards

2016

British Council

Part of 'Star Cross'd'

Theatre

ProductionCompanyNotes
2023

Old Vic

Play Your Part

2021

Half Moon Theatre

Dir. Chris Elwell
Off West End OnComm Award for Theatre for Children Aged 5-11

2018

Watermill Theatre

Dir. Laura Keefe
Music by Hugo White

2018

Wigmore Hall

Music by Kerry Andrew

ABOUT THAT LIFE

2014

Young Vic

R&D Project
Dir. Justin Audibert

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

ProductionCompanyNotes

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

ProductionCompanyNotes

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

ProductionCompanyNotes

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