Chris Riddell is a highly acclaimed British author, illustrator, and political cartoonist. He was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and moved to England with his family when he was one year old. Riddell's parents were active in the anti-apartheid movement, which influenced his upbringing. He is renowned for his collaborative work with author Paul Stewart on the Edge Chronicles series, for which Riddell provided illustrations and Stewart wrote the text. Riddell's illustrations have also appeared in many other children's books, including the award-winning Pirate Diary.
As a political cartoonist, Riddell has worked for the Guardian and Observer newspapers, and he has won numerous awards for his illustrations. These include the Nestlé Gold Award and two Kate Greenaway Medals, which are the most prestigious prizes for illustration in the UK. Riddell's work has also been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and the Blue Peter Book Award. In 2015, he was appointed the UK Children's Laureate.
Riddell's writing is mainly focused on children's books, and he is best known for his Ottoline series and Goth Girl series. He enjoys inventing amazing characters and creating their worlds, often in a very tidy shed in his yard in Brighton, England, where he lives with his wife and three children. Riddell's love for creating characters and worlds began at a young age, and he has been writing and drawing since he was five years old. He cites Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown and The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster as his favorite childhood books.
In addition to his work as an author and illustrator, Riddell is also a political cartoonist and has worked for the Guardian and Observer newspapers. He has won several awards for his political cartoons, including the Political Cartoon of the Year Award in 2018. Riddell's work is known for its wit, humor, and insight, and he has been praised for his ability to capture the essence of political events and personalities.
In summary, Chris Riddell is a highly accomplished British author, illustrator, and political cartoonist. He is best known for his collaborative work with Paul Stewart on the Edge Chronicles series and for his Ottoline and Goth Girl series. Riddell's work is characterized by his imaginative characters, detailed illustrations, and insightful political commentary. He has won numerous awards for his writing and illustrations, including three Kate Greenaway Medals and the UK Children's Laureate appointment. Riddell's love for creating characters and worlds began at a young age, and he continues to inspire and entertain readers of all ages with his imaginative and thought-provoking work.