The Australian Children's Laureate is a role appointed to an Australian children's author and/or illustrator with the purpose of promoting the power of reading to children. It is a two-year role and was inaugurated in 2011, for the 2012–2013 period. The inaugural appointment was a dual one, with Alison Lester and Boori Monty Pryor being announced as joint Australian Children's Laureates. The Australian Children's Laureate was inspired by similar programs in the UK, the Children's Laureate instituted in 1999, and the US, the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature instituted in 2008. These programs also award two-year appointments.