Books are transformative because of their unique ability to develop three key magical powers: intelligence, creativity and, most important of all, empathy. Words are power; let’s take magic seriously.’ - Cressida Cowell

We are delighted to have Cressida Cowell, the current Waterstones Children’s Laureate join us as the LoveReading4Kids Guest Editor of the Month this May. The Children’s Laureate is awarded to an eminent author or illustrator every two years to celebrate an outstanding achievement to children’s literature; a requisite Cressida unequivocally fulfills.

She has created the most wonderful characters in Emily Brown and her bunny wunny Stanley; the How To Train Your Dragon Series is a triumph that has translated perfectly to the screen; and her newest magical series The Wizards of Once…

Cressida’s aim as Waterstones Children’s Laureate is to encourage EVERY child to read for fun, to have access to books and have a planet to read on - something that is essential in our current circumstances. To read for the sheer joy of it is a mission which we absolutely share at LoveReading and so we are thrilled to have the opportunity to chat with Cressida, work with her to encourage reading for pleasure, give support to every child on their reading journey and create lifelong readers in our children.

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As our Guest Editor, Cressida has written a letter to her legion of fans, parents, carers and the reading community.

It is a huge honour to be May’s Guest Editor as part of LoveReading4Kids’ series to help all children discover new books and the magic of reading for pleasure.  As we can’t physically step into a book shop or library to ask booksellers and librarians for their expert advice, organisations like LoveReading4Kids are critical for helping young readers discover new books. 

I was meant to be embarking on a busy tour for the paperback of my latest book, Knock Three Times when I would have visited as many schools and places as I physically can, talking to kids, teachers and parents about writing, illustrating and the magic of creativity and reading for pleasure.  However, as families are now challenged with the juggle of multi-tasking work, childcare together with entertainment and education, I hope we can all discover – and re-discover – this magic together at home.

Take this opportunity to read to your child. Stories read to children in an adult’s voice live with them all their lives…You can also get them to listen to the many children’s authors and illustrators who have been given special dispensation by publishers to read their books aloud online - and have a listen yourself, stories read aloud are very comforting, I find. We can all find magic in the transformative power of books and reading, and the way in which storytelling can develop intelligence, creativity and empathy. I am sharing my own books on YouTube (CressidaCowell) and I know many others are doing the same.

The wonderful community of children’s authors and illustrators are also offering drawing demonstrations and creativity tips, and book recommendations, and all sorts of exciting suggestions for occupying your child’s time. 

Give your child a notebook for scribbling down ideas, and don’t mark it, no rules, no marking, just fun. Get them to draw a map of an imaginary place. Suggest that they create their own characters, and write a story about their own imaginary world.

It is through this encouragement of ideas that we can give children the space to enjoy their creative freedom at the same time as developing creative confidence, an invaluable skill for the future in whatever they might go on to do. 

For we will need children of the future to be more creative than ever. We will need creative scientists, creative entrepreneurs, creative politicians. 

So, pick and choose out of the ideas in this new world of remote learning, but also remember this: don't feel bad if you haven't ticked every box on your school’s curriculum, don't be frightened of mistakes and do not be or afraid of boredom. When I was young, I spent my summers on an uninhabited island off the west coast of Scotland. There was no television, and it rained a lot. This was when I began writing about Vikings and dragons, back when I was nine, it was the beginning of How to Train Your Dragon. It began from having not much else to do.

Quietness and inaction can unleash your kid’s creative spirit – a vital element for future learning.

There is a world of imagination and creativity to discover from a sofa, a bedroom, a garden, a balcony, a kitchen. 

Reading and creativity are magic, and magic is for everyone.

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We are also delighted that Cressida has given us her five must-read recommendations and also for one special book choice for May!

Cressida's May 2020 Top Pick

Planet Omar series by Zanib Mian:– this is a very funny, illustrated series which has characters with heart who you really care about. I’d say if you’re a fan of Wimpy Kid and Tom Gates, you’d like this series…

Cressida's Top Five Recommended Reads

The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Rauf

This is a lovely, warm book that is all about kindness, and putting yourself into someone else’s shoes.

The Lorax by Dr Suess

This is an incredibly important book with a message about environmentalism.  “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot/Nothing is going to get better, it’s not”. You have a heart of stone if you’re not moved by this book.

The Ogre Downstairs by Diana Wynne Jones

This book has wicked stepfathers, and chemicals that make you fly. When I was nine years old, I read it to my brother and sister, my cousins, to anyone who would listen, and 35 years later, I read it to my own children. I have never met a child who does not love this book.

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

This is a brilliantly written, exciting and original adventure series in a wildly original fantasy world. It's also extremely funny. 

Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris

We need our children to have a connection with the natural world, and the language to describe it is crucial. Robert and Jackie’s book is not only a truly beautiful book, it’s an important one too.

You can find a selection of Cressida's books below, plus we have been lucky enough to ask Cressida a few questions about her writing, her inspirations and her work as the Children's Laureate which you can read here.