Lauren Child grew up in Wiltshire as the middle child of three sisters and the daughter of two teachers. She has always been interested in the many aspects of childhood, from gazing into toy shop windows to watching American children's shows from the 1960s. After attending two Art Schools, where Lauren admits that she did not learn much, she travelled for six months, still unsure about which career to embark upon.

Before Lauren starting writing and illustrating children's books she started her own company 'Chandeliers for the People' making exotic, elegant lampshades. It was only when she came to write and illustrate the book Clarice Bean, That's Me that she decided to devote her time to writing and illustrating books for children, which combines her fascination for childhood and her talent for designing and creating. Lauren gets her inspiration from other people's conversations or from seeing something funny happen. Lauren was shortlisted for the Smarties Prize for Clarice Bean, That's Me and in 2001 won the prestegious Kate Greenaway Medal for I Will Not Ever, Never Eat a Tomato. Her distinctive artwork was selected to promote the 2002 World Book Day, a celebration of books and reading. Lauren won the Smarties Gold Award for That Pesky Rat in 2002.

I Am TOO Absolutely Small for School, sees the return of the adorable Charlie and Lola. When Lola is convinced she is too small for school, Charlie cunningly changes her mind absolutely! Charlie and Lola made their television debut in 2005 on the BBC's CBeebies Channel.

Lauren's first novel for Orchard, Utterly Me, Clarice Bean was the winner of the Literacy Association WOW Award. Clarice Bean Spells Trouble, Lauren's second Clarice Bean novel, was shortlisted for the Red House Children's Book Award, the British Book Award, the Hounslow Book Award and the Hillingdon Primary Book Award. In this sparkling, eccentric story, Clarice experiences the highs and lows of a school spelling bee and the difficulty of landing the star part in the school play!

The eagerly awaited sequel to Clarice Bean Spells Trouble is finally here! In Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now, Clarice follows her heroine, Ruby Redfort's advice and devises a 'Worst Worry' list. But she soon realises that her worst worry is the worry she hasn't even thought to worry about...

Lauren lives in North London.

"Lauren Child is so good, it's exhilarating!" - The Independent

You can visit the official Clarice Bean website at www.claricebean.com or the official Lauren Child website at www.milkmonitor.com - enjoy your visit!

Questions and Answers

What are your favourite children's books?
The Shrinking of Treehorn by Florence Parry Heide
The Eighteenth Emergency by Betsy Byars
Grimble by Clement Freud

What famous person would you like to meet and why?
This is a hard question because all the people I admire, I am terrified of meeting in case they turn out to be horrible - but if I have to say anyone then ...Cary Grant - he just seems like the perfect man - at least, he does in his films.

What is your perfect sandwich?
Cheese and ham.

What kind of animal would you be and why?
A cat - they just seem to have it made!

What is your earliest childhood memory?
Very early one summer morning my sisters and I climbed out of our bedroom window and ran about in the garden - this was the only time in my entire childhood I can remember getting up before the rest of the world and it was amazing. I've just never been a morning person.

Award-Winning Lauren Child
Winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal
Smarties Book Prize (6-8) Bronze
Norfolk Children's Book Prize
British Book Awads - Children's Book of the Year Shortlist
The English 4-11 Awards for Best Children's Picture Book Shortlist
Smarties Book Prize (6-8) Gold
The Literacy Association WOW Award

Bibliography

Clarice Bean Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now Clarice Bean, That's Me Clarice Bean Spells Trouble My Uncle is a Hunkle Says Clarice Bean Utterly Me, Clarice Bean What Planet Are You From Clarice Bean? Pesky Rat That Pesky Rat (Winner of the Smarties Gold Award)

Charlie and Lola I Am NOT Sleepy and WILL NOT Go To Bed I Will Not Ever NEVER Eat a Tomato (Winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal) I Am TOO Absolutely Small for School

Copyright © 2006: The Watts Publishing Group.