UK Children’s Laureate visits Love Books
MELVILLE – UK Children's author and illustrator, Chris Riddell, meets children and parents in Melville.
Chris Riddell paid a visit to Love Books in the Bamboo Centre in Melville on 15 September. The book store was crowded with children seated on the floor eagerly waiting to see the prolific British illustrator and author with their parents lining the sides of the room.
Riddell is best known for his work on children’s books such as the Ottoline and Goth Girl series but also works as a satirical cartoonist. His work has received numerous awards and acclaim. This year Riddell was appointed as the Children’s Laureate in Great Britain. The Children’s Laureate is responsible for encouraging children’s interest in reading and literature.
Riddell was born in South Africa and spoke fondly about his visit. “I had a South African backdrop to a very English childhood. I have been struck with how open, accepting and welcoming the artistic community has been in South Africa. I feel very touched by it.”
The illustrator pleased the children with some doodles while he presented the gathering with a number of humorous anecdotes. Riddell spoke at length about his family, including his daughter and her inexplicable fondness of ‘chillaxing’ as well as recounting a tale of his youth in which he had to smuggle stewed prunes out of the dining hall in his trousers.
