Cressida Cowell

Cressida Cowell is a British children's author best known for creating the How to Train Your Dragon book series, which has sold over seven million copies worldwide and spawned a successful DreamWorks Animation film franchise. The series follows the adventures of a young Viking named Hiccup and his dragon Toothless, combining adventure, humor, and themes of friendship and courage. Born in London in 1966, Cowell's early experiences spending summers on an uninhabited island in Scotland's Inner Hebrides heavily influenced her storytelling. These childhood adventures on the remote island helped shape the Viking world she would later create in her books. Beyond How to Train Your Dragon, Cowell has collaborated with illustrator Neal Layton on the Emily Brown series, with the first book That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown winning a Nestlé Children's Book Award. She currently serves as the Waterstones Children's Laureate for 2019-2022, promoting children's literature and the importance of reading for pleasure. As a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, Cowell continues to be an influential voice in children's literature. Her work consistently emphasizes themes of imagination, bravery, and the power of reading, reaching young readers across multiple formats and platforms.

Readers praise Cowell's ability to create imaginative worlds while maintaining emotional depth and humor. Parents note that her books, especially How to Train Your Dragon series, appeal to reluctant readers and work well as read-alouds. Likes: - Character development, particularly Hiccup's growth - Detailed illustrations that enhance storytelling - Balance of humor and serious themes - Vocabulary that challenges young readers without frustrating them Dislikes: - Some find early books in series too simple - Later books become darker, which concerns parents of younger readers - Writing style can be choppy with frequent exclamations - Differences between books and movies disappoint some readers Ratings: Goodreads: How to Train Your Dragon series averages 4.3/5 from 500,000+ ratings Amazon: Series averages 4.7/5 from 15,000+ reviews Common Sense Media: Parent rating 4/5, Kid rating 4/5 "My son went from hating reading to devouring these books" appears frequently in parent reviews.

How to Train Your Dragon First book in a 12-part series following young Viking Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III as he navigates life on the Isle of Berk with his dragon Toothless, learning about leadership, friendship, and bravery.

That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown The first book in the Emily Brown series tells the story of a young girl who must protect her beloved toy rabbit Stanley from a queen who wants to take him away.

Emily Brown and the Thing Emily Brown and her rabbit Stanley help a scared Thing figure out why it can't sleep at night.

Emily Brown and the Elephant Emergency Emily and Stanley embark on an adventure to help a lost elephant find its way home.

Wizards of Once First entry in a fantasy series about a young Wizard boy and a Warrior girl who must overcome their peoples' ancient feud to face a greater threat.

The Wizards of Once: Twice Magic Second installment following Xar and Wish as they continue their quest in a world where magic and iron collide.

The Wizards of Once: Knock Three Times Third book in the series where Xar and Wish face increasingly dangerous challenges while trying to defeat the Witches.

The Wizards of Once: Never and Forever Final book in the Wizards of Once series, bringing the tale of Xar and Wish to its conclusion.

Rick Riordan writes mythology-based adventure series featuring young protagonists who discover their connection to ancient gods and magical worlds. His Percy Jackson series combines action, humor, and educational elements about mythology in a similar way to how Cowell weaves Viking culture into her stories.

Eva Ibbotson creates fantasy adventures with strong character relationships and detailed magical worlds. Her books feature underdogs who find their strength through friendship and determination, matching Cowell's approach to character development.

Terry Pratchett builds complex fantasy worlds filled with humor and social commentary through his Tiffany Aching series for young readers. His work combines mythological elements with coming-of-age stories that mirror Cowell's blend of adventure and personal growth.

Diana Wynne Jones writes fantasy novels featuring young protagonists who navigate magical challenges while dealing with family dynamics and self-discovery. Her books share Cowell's mix of humor and heart, particularly in series like Chrestomanci and Howl's Moving Castle.

Jonathan Stroud creates fantasy series with detailed world-building and strong character voices, particularly in his Bartimaeus sequence. His work features similar themes of friendship between humans and magical creatures, plus the mix of humor and danger found in Cowell's books.