Michael Rosen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael Rosen
Rosen in 2022
Born	Michael Wayne Rosen (1946-05-07) 7 May 1946 (age 79) Harrow, Middlesex, England
Occupation	Author, broadcaster, poet, activist, academic
Education	Wadham College, Oxford (BA) University of Reading (MA) University of North London (PhD)
Period	1974–present
Genres	Children's literature Children's poetry
Notable awards	Children's Laureate 2007–2009 Fred and Anne Jarvis Award 2010 PEN Pinter Prize 2023
Spouses	Elizabeth Steele ​ ​ (m. 1976; div. 1987)​ Geraldine Clark ​ ​ (m. 1987; div. 1997)​ Emma-Louise Williams
Children	5 (1 deceased)
Relatives	Harold Rosen (father)
Political party	Respect (2004–2015)

Michael Wayne Rosen (born 7 May 1946) is a famous English author, poet, and presenter, especially known for his books for children. He is also a professor of children's literature at Goldsmiths, University of London. Michael Rosen has written over 200 books for both children and adults. Some of his most popular books include We're Going on a Bear Hunt (1989) and Sad Book (2004). He was chosen as the Children's Laureate from June 2007 to June 2009, a special role for a children's writer. In 2023, he won the PEN Pinter Prize for his brave and important writing.

Early Life and Education

Michael Wayne Rosen was born in Harrow, Middlesex, England, on 7 May 1946. His family had roots in Eastern Europe. His father, Harold Rosen, was a professor who taught English to children. His mother, Connie, worked as a secretary and later became a primary school teacher. Both his parents were very involved in their community.

Michael went to state schools in Pinner and Harrow. He also spent some time as an exchange student at Winchester College in 1964. Around the age of 11 or 12, he started to enjoy writing. He tried writing different kinds of poems, including funny ones about people he knew. His mother, who worked for the BBC, encouraged him to write for a poetry program, and some of his early work was used there. He later studied English at Oxford University.

Becoming a Writer and Broadcaster

Rosen in 2009

After graduating from Wadham College, Oxford, in 1969, Michael Rosen started working at the BBC. He presented a TV series for schools called Walrus, which helped children learn to read and write. He also wrote scripts for other children's shows. However, he found that working for the BBC limited his creativity, and he left in 1972 to become a freelance writer and performer.

In 1974, his first book of poems for children, Mind Your Own Business, was published. He became well-known for his funny poems for kids, with collections like Wouldn't You Like to Know and Quick Let's Get Out of Here. Experts in children's literature say he is one of the most important poets for children today. He was one of the first poets to visit schools all over the UK and in other countries, inspiring children with his poetry.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt and Other Works

One of Michael Rosen's most famous books is We're Going on a Bear Hunt, a picture book illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. This book won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize in 1989. In 2014, the publisher, Walker Books, celebrated the book's 25th anniversary by setting a Guinness World Record for the Largest Reading Lesson.

In 1993, Michael Rosen earned a master's degree in Children's Literature from the University of Reading. He later received a PhD from the University of North London.

Rosen recording his poem "The Listening Lions" in 2014

He is also a well-known broadcaster. He presents Word of Mouth on BBC Radio 4, a show that explores the English language and how we use it.

Michael Rosen's Sad Book (2004), illustrated by Quentin Blake, is another important book. It helps readers understand feelings of sadness and loss. This book was written after the death of his son, Eddie, in 1999.

In 2011, he worked with his wife, Emma-Louise Williams, on a film called Under the Cranes. Michael wrote the story, and Emma-Louise directed the film.

Teaching and Advocacy

Michael Rosen reciting a poem at a picnic organised by the Jewish Socialists' Group on Highbury Fields, 6 August 2023

Michael Rosen has taught children's literature at several universities, including London Metropolitan University and Birkbeck, University of London. Since 2014, he has been a professor of children's literature at Goldsmiths, University of London.

He is also a supporter of the Shakespeare Schools Festival, a charity that helps schoolchildren perform Shakespeare's plays in real theatres.

In 2017, he published a memoir about his life. In March 2021, he released Many Different Kinds of Love: A Story of Life, Death and the NHS, which shared his experience of being very ill with COVID-19.

Views on Education

Michael Rosen has often spoken about education. He believes that English education should focus more on reading and less on standardized tests. He has said that some grammar teaching in primary schools is "outdated" and "misleading."

Awards and Recognition

Michael Rosen at the 2017 Cheltenham Literature Festival signing his book The Disappearance of Émile Zola

In 2006, Michael Rosen was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. In June 2007, he became the sixth British Children's Laureate, a special role that promotes children's literature. He held this honor until June 2009. During his time as Laureate, he wrote about how much he enjoyed working with children and helping them talk and write.

He has received many honorary doctorates from universities, including the University of Exeter (2007), the University of East London (2008), and Nottingham Trent University (2010). In 2008, he was also given the Chevalier de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Literature) by the French ambassador.

In 2010, he received the Fred and Anne Jarvis Award from the National Union of Teachers for his work campaigning for education. In 2021, he received the J.M. Barrie Lifetime Achievement Award for his amazing work supporting the arts for children.

In 2022, he was given an honorary fellowship by the Royal College of Nursing for sharing his experiences as a patient and helping raise awareness about COVID-19.

In 2023, Michael Rosen won the PEN Pinter Prize. The judges praised his ability to talk about serious life topics with joy, humor, and hope. He chose to share his award with Rahile Dawut, a brave professor from the Uyghur community.

Personal Life

Michael Rosen has been married three times and has five children. His second son, Eddie, passed away at age 18 in 1999. This sad event inspired his 2004 book, Sad Book. Michael Rosen lives in North London with his third wife, Emma-Louise Williams, and their two children.

He often performs his poems for children in videos on his YouTube channel. These videos are very popular. He has mentioned that some fan-made videos using his content are not suitable for young children and has asked for harmful ones to be removed.

In March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael Rosen became very ill and spent 48 days in intensive care. He slowly recovered and returned home in June 2020. He has since shared his experiences with long COVID, including some lasting effects on his sight and hearing.