Chris Riddell author page

Chris Riddell biography

Chris Riddell is a British illustrator, author, and political cartoonist, widely recognised for his work in children’s literature. He studied illustration at Brighton Polytechnic and began his career as an illustrator in the 1980s. Riddell has illustrated numerous books for children, collaborating with authors such as Paul Stewart on the The Edge Chronicles series, which began with Beyond the Deepwoods in 1998, published by Doubleday.

Riddell is also known for his solo works, including the Ottoline series, which started with Ottoline and the Yellow Cat in 2007, and the Goth Girl series, beginning with Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse in 2013. His illustrations are noted for their intricate detail and distinctive style. In addition to his work in children’s fiction, Riddell has served as a political cartoonist for publications such as The Observer.

He has received multiple awards for his work, including the Kate Greenaway Medal, which he won three times: for Pirate Diary by Richard Platt in 2002, Gulliver by Jonathan Swift in 2004, and The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman in 2016. Riddell was appointed the UK Children’s Laureate from 2015 to 2017, a role in which he promoted creativity and illustration in children’s books.

Chris Riddell’s recent publications include Cloud Horse Chronicles: Guardians of Magic, published by Macmillan Children’s Books in 2019.

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