Cressida Cowell has spent her career turning reluctant readers into lifelong book lovers. As the author of the How to Train Your Dragon series – now a global phenomenon – she knows exactly what makes a child desperate to turn the page, reports BritPanorama. Her stories are packed with adventure, humour and heart, but she is also a passionate advocate for children’s literacy and the transformative power of books.
So which stories does she believe can spark that first love of reading? Here, Cowell shares the five books that prove that reading is the greatest adventure of all.
Barbara throws a wobbler by Nadia Shireen
“Nadia Shireen is a genius at creating books with a gentle message that are funny for both children and adults alike. Barbara’s having one of those days, a wobbler appears, and Barbara has to figure out how to deal with it. I love the chart at the end with the description of The Sulk, The Tizzy, The Huff and others. I’d also highly recommend Nadia Shireen’s Billy picture books, and Grimwood, her series for slightly older readers.”
The lion inside by Rachel Bright and Jim Field
“This is a delightful story, inspired by a classic fairy tale, about a little mouse on a quest to find his roar, and a lion who just might be frightened of a squeak. A fantastic collaboration between author and illustrator, it’s utterly charming without being too sweet, and has a wonderful rhythm to keep even the most wriggly of book-sceptics sitting down.”
“The illustrations are stunning – enchanting characters and beautiful landscapes. Rachel Bright and Jim Field’s other books are also lovely, and they are one of the best pairings working together today.”
The ogre downstairs by Diana Wynne Jones
“This was the book that made me want to become a children’s book writer. When I was eight, I read it so many times, it fell apart. It made me realise how wonderful books could be, with wicked stepfathers, and chemicals that make you fly, and magic that is true.”
“I read it aloud to my younger siblings and cousins, and they laughed, and begged to hear the next chapter. It had the same effect when I read it aloud to my own children, 20 years later. I’ve also been recommending it for many years, with lots of positive responses.”
Holes by Louis Sachar
“Stanley Yelnats is a young delinquent who is pointlessly digging holes at Camp Green Lake as punishment for a crime he did not commit… This is a tale of crime, redemption and how the past haunts the present, told with exquisite brevity, and with a satisfyingly clever and intricate plot.”
“This book is a favourite in our family, and one of our dogs is called Zero after one of the characters. A real modern classic.”
One by Sarah Crossan
“Sarah Crossan’s writing is beautiful. Her lyrical text combined with a compelling plot – about conjoined twins searching for their identities – make this a moving, thought-provoking and engrossing book, easily accessible for teens. It deservedly won many awards, and I thoroughly enjoyed it as an adult reader.”
Cressida Cowell is a National Year of Reading 2026 ambassador, supporting the Go All In campaign to help more people discover the joy of reading on World Book Day. For further information about how you can get involved visit goallin.org.uk and worldbookday.com.
