Cressida Cowell, author and illustrator of the popular How to Train Your Dragon series, has been appointed as the new Waterstones Children's Laureate, succeeding Lauren Child, who served in the role for the last two years.

Cowell, who also penned the Emily Brown picture books, commented 'Books and reading are magic and this magic must be available to absolutely everyone. I’m honoured to be chosen to be the eleventh Waterstones Children’s Laureate. I will be a Laureate who fights for books and children’s interests with passion, conviction and action. Practical magic, empathy and creative intelligence, is the plan'.