Two current Laureates discuss their writing, their roles, and their hopes for young readers. Irish language author Áine Ní Ghlinn is Ireland’s Laureate na nÓg; Cressida Cowell is Waterstones Children’s Laureate, UK. 

Cressida Cowell is the author and illustrator of the bestselling The Wizards of Once and How to Train Your Dragon books series, and the author of the Emily Brown picture books. As well as being hugely successful on screen, How to Train Your Dragon sold over 11 million books worldwide. Cressida is also an ambassador for the National Literacy Trust and the Reading Agency, and a Trustee of World Book Day.

Áine Ní Ghlinn is the first Laureate na nÓg to write exclusively in Irish. She has written over thirty books, including poetry collections and novels for children and teenagers. Her ambition as Laureate is to lift the cloak of invisibility from Irish language authors and books, and to encourage children and young people to read for pleasure as Gaeilge. 

Cressida Cowell and Áine Ní Ghlinn will be in conversation with Mags Walsh, Director British Council in Ireland.

IMAGE ÁINE: Ger Holland
IMAGE CRESSIDA: David Bebber