Kieran Larwood author page

Kieran Larwood biography

Kieran Larwood is a British children’s author renowned for his richly imagined fantasy worlds and engaging storytelling. Born in Kenya, he relocated to the United Kingdom at the age of two and eventually settled on the Isle of Wight, where he continues to reside. Before embarking on his writing career, Larwood spent fifteen years teaching Reception class in a primary school.

He gained prominence with his debut novel, Freaks, which won the Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition in 2011. However, it was his Five Realms series that cemented his reputation in children’s literature. The series began with The Legend of Podkin One-Ear and expanded to include titles such as The Gift of Dark Hollow, The Beasts of Grimheart, Uki and the Outcasts, and Podkin and the Tentacled Terror. These books have been lauded for their intricate world-building and compelling narratives.

Larwood’s work has been recognised with several awards, including the Blue Peter Best Story Award and the Prix Sorcières. His passion for fantasy storytelling was ignited at a young age upon reading The Hobbit, particularly captivated by the map inside the book. This early inspiration is evident in his detailed and immersive fictional universes.

In addition to the Five Realms series, Larwood has authored other works such as The Treekeepers, which explores themes of nature and environmental stewardship, and the Carnival of the Lost series, including Carnival of the Hunted and Carnival of the Spider. He has also introduced readers to the Dungeon Runners series, with titles like Hero Trial and Sky Battles, and the standalone novel Jed Greenleaf.

Larwood is represented by Rachel Petty at The Blair Partnership. He actively engages with his readership through school visits and literary festivals, sharing his enthusiasm for storytelling and encouraging young readers to explore their creativity.