Cressida Cowell makes fantasy adventures in words and pictures, an inviting combination for children who like inventing creatures as much as reading about them. Her festival visits can turn a favourite book into a shared family outing, with room to enjoy the drawings, the stories and the imagination behind both.
Quick facts
Best known for
How to Train Your Dragon and The Wizards of Once
Genre or subject
Children’s fantasy, illustration and adventure
Latest book
How to Train Your Dragon School: Fight of the Flamestrike (2026), Hodder Children’s Books
Cowell is an author and illustrator whose work has reached cinema and television as well as books. The How to Train Your Dragon adaptations have brought many families to her stories, while her other fantasy series offer new worlds to explore together.
She was Children’s Laureate from 2019 to 2022. Her professional work also supports children’s reading through literacy organisations, including the National Literacy Trust, the Reading Agency and World Book Day. Her career joins storytelling, illustration and encouragement for young readers.
The latest Dragon School adventure was published in 2026, with Hachette announcing its release in June. A child already drawn to dragons has a new story to discover, while an enthusiastic young artist may be just as interested in the pictures beside the words.
Where to start with their books
How to Train Your Dragon
Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third has a long name and a tiny dragon, with a Viking tribe expecting a hero. The first book is a direct route into the comic adventure at the heart of Cowell’s original series.
The Wizards of Once
A young Wizard and a young Warrior meet in a world of giants, sprites and magic. Try this first volume for a new fantasy cast; it also gives a young reader another setting to compare with the dragon stories.
Which Way to Anywhere
Four siblings encounter a collision between ordinary life and forbidden magic, with K2 O’Hero at the centre. The beginning of this space-travelling adventure opens a different door into Cowell’s imagination for readers keen to leave Earth behind.
Festival appearances
For tickets, use the host festival’s official box office. Confirm the date, venue and access details before paying.
At Hay on 29 May, Cowell chatted and sketched about How to Train Your Dragon School: Fight of the Flamestrike on the Discovery Stage. The session was for ages seven and above, bringing drawing into the encounter with the writer.
Where to see them next
No 2027 appearances announced yet. Check the festival guides for programme dates.
Plan your trip
Let your child choose a favourite illustration to look at together before setting out. Ask what they notice about the creature or character, then let the answer stand: the visit will be more enjoyable as an adventure than as a reading test.
For a session that includes drawing, pack only the materials requested by the festival, and check whether the accompanying adult also needs a ticket. Build in time for food before going into the room, especially if the family is combining a book event with a long journey.
For families drawn to the making of pictures as well as stories, Rob Biddulph’s author-illustrator profile offers another outing to explore.
Your questions about Cressida Cowell
Which festivals featured Cressida Cowell in 2026?
The 2026 programmes featured Cressida Cowell at Cheltenham Literature Festival, Edinburgh International Book Festival, Hay Festival; follow those guides for event information and practical visit details.
Can children draw along at a Cowell event?
Use the festival links on Cressida Cowell’s profile for the event’s own ticket and audience guidance.
Does a child need to finish the book first?
No reading test is needed before a family outing. Looking at a few pages together can give a child something to recognise, but leave them free to enjoy the pictures or discover the story after hearing its creator.
How do adults book a family visit?
Use the host festival’s box office and check its adult-and-child ticket rules together. Allow enough time to arrive without rushing, and ask about seating or access needs before choosing where to sit.
Are the books the same experience as the films?
The stories began on the page, with Cowell’s own writing and drawings. A child who first met the characters on screen can enjoy discovering the books too, especially by looking at how the illustrations tell their part of a scene.
