Inaugural Foyles Literacy Ambassador announced

Cressida Cowell, author of the bestselling How to Train Your Dragon series, is to be the new Foyles Literacy Ambassador, a two-year tenure during which she will help promote reading and writing.

During her time as the Foyles ambassador, Cowell will take part in a series of children's events at Foyles branches in London, Birmingham, Bristol and Chelmsford. She will also deliver the inaugural Foyles and National Literacy Trust lecture in spring 2018. There will also be a series of videos giving tips for parents and monthly book recommendations. Cressida said, "I'm delighted to be partnering both with Foyles and the National Literacy Trust for this two-year Ambassadorship. I've been lucky enough to celebrate the opening of several Foyles shops, and what they do brilliantly is make children's books spaces look and feel exciting - they're inviting places for kids to find their next adventure. Plans include the launch of a writing competition, recommendations, and regular reading, writing and drawing tips from Cressida. She added, "I'm going to be doing some events with Foyles, too. I want to inspire kids today to read with the same excitement and wonder that I did when I was a child. I also want to celebrate the quality and variety of books available for children: we should be proud of the UK talent on today's bookshelves." Cressida Cowell's new series beginning with The Wizards of Once will be published by Hodder Children's Books in September.