-
Cressida Cowell MBE announces end of tenure as Waterstones Children's Laureate 08/06/2022
Alongside the 'Life-changing Libraries report’, Cowell has reflected on her time as Chi...
-
Waterstones Children's Laureate Cressida Cowell MBE reveals transformative 'Life-changing Libraries' research 08/06/2022
Waterstones Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell MBE has revealed the transformative imp...
-
BookTrust teams up with Waterstones Children's Laureate Cressida Cowell and World Book Day for special #PassThePen 24/01/2022
In a special edition of #PassThePen, World Book Day authors will hand over their social...
#PassThePen is an initiative from Cressida Cowell and BookTrust Represents to promote emerging authors and illustrators of colour working on children's books!
The fifth point on Cressida's Laureate Charter is that 'every child has the right to see themselves reflected in a book' - and so she's working to support new creators.
From 16-20 November 2020, up-and-coming authors and illustrators took over the Instagram accounts of famous names to introduce themselves, share their work, and discuss their inspirations.
Among the stars who handed over their social media were the likes of Nadiya Hussain, Dermot O'Leary, Greg James and Chris Smith and many more.
In this section
About the Waterstones Children's Laureate
Everything you need to know about the laureateship and the current children's author in the role, Cressida Cowell.
More about 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, and the author of the Emily Brown picture books, illustrated by Neal Layton.
Children's Laureate events
Would you like to see Cressida Cowell and the former Waterstones Children's Laureates? If so, why not head along to one of a number of events this year.
Former Laureates
Take a look at our League of Laureates: ten star authors and illustrators who have previously held the role.
Our supporters
Find out about everyone who supports the Waterstones Children's Laureate and makes the role possible.
Celebrating 20 years of the Waterstones Children's Laureate
In 2019, we reached a milestone: the 20th anniversary of the Waterstones Children's Laureate. Here's what we did to celebrate!
Celebrating 20 years of the Waterstones Children's Laureate
In 2019, we reached a milestone: the 20th anniversary of the Waterstones Children's Laureateship in the UK.
Laureate news and blogs
Fun activity sheets to try
-
How To Train Your Dragon: Design Your Own Dragon
Draw your dragon, give it a name and then those all-important vital statistics!
-
How to Train Your Dragon: Make Your Own Crown
Colour in Hiccup and the headband and make your own crown to wear proudly!
-
How To Train Your Dragon: Suggested activities for hosting your own event
Lots of game and activity suggestions to hold a fun How To Train Your Dragon event in y...
-
Colour in Emily Brown and her toy rabbit
Add a splash of colour to Emily Brown and her rabbit - perfect for younger fans of Cres...
-
The Wizards of Once: Lost Words
Collect lost and endangered words! Can you match these words with their meanings?
Laureate news on Twitter
- RT @Booktrust: We can't quite believe it, but we've reached the final week of @CressidaCowell's time as Waterstones Children's Laureate! W… 3 days ago
- RT @CressidaCowell: Calling everyone with a creative child in their life! The #ReadingisMagicFest festival of creativity announcing their l… 13 days ago
- Who's excited for this BRAND NEW series from @CressidaCowell coming in September?! 😍📚 https://t.co/0NVLkrbngi 15 days ago
- RT @CressidaCowell: Happy sunny Wednesday, everyone! I'm reading the whole of the How to Train Your Dragon series aloud and you can listen… 15 days ago
- RT @CressidaCowell: Happy, sunny, Tuesday, everyone! I'm reading the whole of the How to Train Your Dragon series aloud and you can listen… 15 days ago
