Cressida Cowell
Cressida Cowell is the number one bestselling author-illustrator of the How to Train Your Dragon and The Wizards of Once book series. How to Train Your Dragon is also an award-winning DreamWorks film franchise. Cressida is an ambassador for the National Literacy Trust, a trustee for World Book Day and a founder patron of the Children's Media Foundation. She lives in Hammersmith with her husband, three children and a dog called Pigeon. Cressida was our Writer in Residence in 2016-17
Cressida Cowell is the current Waterstones Children's Laureate
Books
Emily Brown and Father Christmas
Author: Cressida Cowell
Illustrator: Neal Layton
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Interest age: 3-5
Father Christmas is on a mission to be modern this year. But are the old ways sometimes best? The unshakeable Emily Brown is just the girl to sort Santa out and save everyone's Christmas. Fabulously fun and festive!
How To Be A Viking
Author: Cressida Cowell
Publisher: Hachette Children's Group
Interest age: 3-6
Reading age: 5-7
Cressida Cowell came up with the idea for her How To Train Your Dragon series by sketching this little story about a timid Viking in her sketchbook. The story of Hiccup is one of believing in yourself and not measuring yourself against others' standards.
How To Train Your Dragon 2: How to Be A Pirate
Author: Cressida Cowell
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 8+
The second in Cressida Cowell’s epic adventure series follows Hiccup as he hones his skills and starts to realise some of his power. This continuation of Hiccup’s tale has as much humour and brilliant characterisation and world building as the first book.
How To Train Your Dragon 5: How to Twist A Dragon’s Tale
Author: Cressida Cowell
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 8+
The fifth in the hugely successful series is just as likely to get kids reading as the others – the humour, illustrations and fast-moving plot are fantastic even for reluctant readers.
How To Train Your Dragon 6: A Hero’s Guide to Deadly Dragons
Author: Cressida Cowell
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 8+
The sixth instalment in this brilliant series includes a dragonese dictionary for the superfan wanting to learn the language for themselves. There’s even a selection of profiles, chronicling the vital statistics of all the dragons.
How To Train Your Dragon 7: How to Ride A Dragon’s Storm
Author: Cressida Cowell
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 8+
The seventh book in this adventure-filled, hilarious series is a must read for fans of dragons, fantasy and Vikings – as well as all of us who appreciate good friends and brilliant ideas in the nick of time.
The Story of Tantrum O'Furrily
Author: Cressida Cowell
Illustrator: Mark Nicholas
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 5+
Set on a wild and windy night, a stray cat called Tantrum O'Furrily is out and about with her three hungry kittens. Soon, they discover the power of stories and the courage they can give you. Cressida Cowell's story reads like a heartwarming fairy tale.
The Wizards of Once
Author: Cressida Cowell
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+
Wish is a girl from a warrior tribe and Xar is a boy from a wizard tribe, living in a world loosely based on Ancient Britain at the beginning of the Iron Age, but where magic is real. A fabulously imaginative, funny and unpredictable adventure.
The Wizards of Once: Knock Three Times
Author: Cressida Cowell
Publisher: Hachette Children's Group
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+
This is the third book in the Wizards of Once series, set 3,000 years ago in an ancient magical time. Knock Three Times is thrilling, fast-paced, funny, sad, scary and philosophical, and full of inspiration for children on how to find inner strength in crisis.
The Wizards of Once: Twice Magic
Author: Cressida Cowell
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+
The sequel to the glorious The Wizards of Once picks up almost exactly where we left it – and it's just as thrilling, gorgeously written and illustrated. Prepare to get totally drawn into a magical world.