Toppsta - Childrens Books – Reviews

Cressida Cowell Biography
Cressida Cowell is a British author, best known for her How To Train Your Dragon book series which was also made into animated film by DreamWorks in 2010. The books have been published in over 30 languages and are a huge hit with young readers worldwide. 

Cressida also writes the Emily Brown series working with award-winning illustrator Neal Layton. The first story in the series, The Rabbit That Belongs to Emily Brown, won the Nestle Gold Award in 2006. 

Cressida Cowell was born on 15th April 1966 in London. She divided her childhood between London and uninhabited island off the west coast of Scotland where her family built a small stone house on the island. There was no phone or television so Cressida spent a lot of time drawing and writing stories. She studied English at Keble College, Oxford before learning about illustration at Brighton University.

Cressida now lives in London with her husband and three children.

Cressida Cowell Facts
Cressida’s best friend at school was Lauren Child, who wrote the Charlie and Lola and Clarice Bean books.

Cressida has been writing stories since she was nine years old and has now had 18 books published, including 10 picture books.

Our favourite Cressida Cowell Book Characters
Hiccup Horrendous Haddock - from How To Train Your Dragon
Emily - from the Emily Brown series
Xar and Wish - from The Wizards of Once

Our favourite Cressida Cowell Book Quotes
The twelve boys stood before their teacher in a shivering line. ‘Now boys!’ boomed Gobber. ‘A Proper Viking Swimming Race is not like those pathetic little competitions they carry out on the mainland. It is a test of your ENDURANCE, your STRENGTH and your SUICIDAL BRAVERY..." (How To Ride a Dragons Storm)

"There was absolute silence immediately. It’s a curious fact, but a heavily armed, mad, six-and-a-half- foot teacher holding a whip tends to get his class’s attention." (How To Cheat A Dragons Curse)