Cressida Cowell MBE FRSL (born 15 April 1966)[1] is a British children's author, popularly known for the book series, How to Train Your Dragon, which has subsequently become an award-winning film franchise as adapted by DreamWorks Animation.[2] As of 2015, the series has sold more than seven million copies around the world.[3]
Cressida Cowell | |
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Born | (1966-04-15) 15 April 1966 (age 58) London, England |
Occupation | Writer |
Alma mater | University of Oxford |
Notable works | How to Train Your Dragon |
Spouse | Simon Cowell |
Children | Maisie Cowell Clementine Cowell Alexander Cowell |
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In addition to her other publications, Cowell works with illustrator Neal Layton[4] in the ongoing series of Emily Brown stories. The first in the series, That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown, won a Nestlé Children’s Book Award.
The Hon. Cressida Cowell was born on 15 April 1966 in London. She is the daughter of Michael Hare, 2nd Viscount Blakenham. Her uncle, by marriage, is U.S. Supreme Court justice Stephen Breyer.
As a child, Cowell states she "grew up in London and on a small, uninhabited island off the west coast of Scotland,"[5] and that it was during summers spent on the Inner Hebrides,[6] where she first began to develop her writing and drawing skills:
Cowell attended Keble College, Oxford where she studied English, and she also attended Saint Martin's School of Art and Brighton University where she learned illustration. She studied at Marlborough College (1982–84).[9][10][11]
Cressida Cowell presently resides in London[12] with her husband Simon, a former director and interim CEO of the International Save the Children Alliance; daughters Maisie and Clementine; and son Alexander.[13][14]
How to Train Your Dragon books
Main article: How to Train Your Dragon (novel series)
Related books
Emily Brown books
The Wizards of Once books
The Treetop Twins Adventures books
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The Treetop Twins: Wilderness Adventures books
The Tiny Detectives books
Other books
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Cowell was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to children's literature.[18]
In 2021, she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL).[19]
Cultural offices | ||
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Preceded by | Children's Laureate of the United Kingdom 2019–2022 |
Succeeded by |