Children's Laureates Donate Royalties to Sally Rooney After UK Sales 2026

Children's laureates from Ireland and Wales are donating royalties from their works to Sally Rooney after the bestselling author was forced to stop selling books in the UK due to her support for Palestine Action. The move highlights a growing solidarity movement among authors concerned about freedom of expression.

Chris Haughton, Ireland's children's literature laureate, and the Welsh children's laureate are among those taking a stand. Haughton said he wants to demonstrate the "absurdity" of Rooney being unable to receive royalties from her own UK sales because of her public support for the direct action group.

Why Are Children's Laureates Donating Royalties to Sally Rooney?

The laureates' decision is a direct response to the UK government's proscription of Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act in July last year. The group became the first direct action organization to be banned under this law, placing it in the same category as al-Qaida and Boko Haram.

Rooney's public support for Palestine Action led to her UK sales being halted, meaning she cannot receive royalties from those sales. In protest, Haughton and his Welsh counterpart are redirecting their own royalties to Rooney as a form of financial and moral support.

Haughton, whose books have sold millions worldwide, said: "I really want to express my full support for Sally Rooney. As someone who is in the UK a lot of the time, I can't do what she has done, but I can support her instead of supporting Palestine Action."

The Absurdity of the Situation: A Mockery of the Law

Haughton described the entire situation as a "farce" and said sending Rooney the money adds "another level of absurdity." He believes it makes a mockery of the law.

"As authors, we need to be focused on freedom of expression, this is everything we're about, and this is just showing solidarity with an author who has bravely spoken out," Haughton said.

The irony is not lost on observers: a law designed to combat terrorism is being used to penalize an author for peaceful political expression. The laureates' action underscores the tension between national security legislation and fundamental rights.

Who Are the Children's Laureates Involved?

Chris Haughton is an acclaimed Irish author and illustrator whose picture books have been translated into dozens of languages. As Ireland's children's laureate, he advocates for children's literature and literacy.

The Welsh children's laureate, whose name was not disclosed in the source, joins Haughton in this act of solidarity. Together, they represent a growing chorus of voices in the literary community speaking out against what they see as an unjust application of anti-terrorism laws.

Haughton himself has twice been arrested for holding placards allegedly supporting Palestine Action. His alleged offense carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison, according to the source.

What This Means for Freedom of Expression in the UK

The case raises profound questions about the limits of free speech in the UK. By proscribing Palestine Action, the government has criminalized not just membership in the group but also expressions of support.

Authors and artists are now grappling with the implications: can they express political views that conflict with government policy without facing legal consequences? The laureates' actions suggest that many are willing to risk personal cost to defend these principles.

This is not the first time the literary world has rallied against censorship. Historically, writers have often been at the forefront of battles for free expression, from Salman Rushdie to contemporary voices.

Key Takeaways from the Royalties Donation

• Children's laureates from Ireland and Wales are donating royalties to Sally Rooney in solidarity.
• The move protests the UK's ban on Palestine Action and its impact on Rooney's UK sales.
• Chris Haughton calls the situation "absurd" and a "farce" that makes a mockery of the law.
• Haughton has been arrested twice for allegedly supporting Palestine Action.
• The case highlights tensions between anti-terrorism laws and freedom of expression.

Comparison of UK Anti-Terrorism Laws and Their Impact

The table illustrates the unusual nature of Palestine Action's proscription: it is a direct action group focused on Palestinian rights, not a violent extremist organization like the others listed. This distinction is central to the controversy.

What to Watch Next

The literary community's response to Rooney's situation is likely to grow. Other authors may follow the laureates' lead in donating royalties or speaking out. The case could also prompt legal challenges to the proscription of Palestine Action.

For parents and educators, this controversy raises questions about which books and authors to support. If you're looking for enriching reads for young people, consider exploring best new children's books: picture books and novels for kids to find titles that inspire and educate.

As the situation develops, it's worth staying informed about how laws designed to protect national security are applied and whether they inadvertently stifle legitimate expression. The actions of these children's laureates serve as a reminder that solidarity can take many forms. The background to this story is set out in Sally Rooney UK Book Sales Halt Over Palestine Action Support. A related thread runs through Sally Rooney Books Sell Out Fast After UK Withdrawal. Earlier coverage in Sally Rooney's Brave Stand for Palestine and Her Career shows how the argument developed.

For those interested in the broader implications for authors and publishers, the coming months will be telling. Will the UK government reconsider its stance? Will more authors join the protest? Only time will tell. A closer look at the same subject appears in Palestine Action Ban Challenge: Supreme Court Allows Appeal. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Palestine Action Barrister Prosecution Sparks Legal Fear. The same theme surfaces in No Police Action Against Sarah Helm Over Palestine Action Post, which takes a different angle.

In the meantime, readers can support affected authors by buying their books and engaging in open dialogue about the importance of free expression. After all, as Haughton noted, "this is everything we're about." Context on how this played out before sits in Nobel Laureates Demand Truth for Disappeared Eritrean Writers.