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Author and illustrator Lauren Child talks to The Sunday Times children’s books editor Nicolette Jones about her books, characters and illustrations.

Child is one of the most talented children’s book author/illustrators working today. She is creator of Charlie and Lola, Clarice Bean and Ruby Redfort, and has many award-winning books to her name, selling more than three million books in 19 countries. Her distinctive style is an entertaining mix of unruly, cartoony drawing, witty observation and bold page design that borrows more than a little from the advertising world and incorporates lots of retro 1950s styling and colours. She has been described as ’impossibly glamorous and reassuringly funny and unpretentious’.

Child has won many prizes, including the Smarties Prize (four times), the Kate Greenaway Medal and the Red House Children’s Book Award. The Charlie and Lola television series won a Bafta in 2007. Child was appointed Artist for Peace by UNESCO in 2008 and spearheaded a project to raise money for UNESCO’s Programme for the Education of Children in Need.

Age 7+