James O'Brien meets Cressida Cowell | Full Disclosure

In this episode of Full Disclosure with James O'Brien, Cressida tells us about her loving childhood with summers spent on Little Colonsay in the Inner Hebridies - a small, inhabited island that her environmentalist dad bought. From boarding school to sixth form, she charts back through her love or reading and illustrating to the struggles, and sometimes lack of, that she faced to become a successful author. 02:09 Childhood Between London & a Wild Scottish Island 08:01 Imagination, Fear & the Power of Islands 11:03 Privilege, Books & the Importance of Libraries 16:01 Why Reading Matters So Much to Children 20:13 School Struggles, Creativity & Feeling Different 23:53 Early Storytelling, Drawing & Literary Influences 27:06 Choosing Art, Oxford & Finding a Creative Path 41:57 Early Career Challenges & First Books 45:55 The Origins of How to Train Your Dragon 51:24 Slow-Build Success Before the Films 56:22 Returning With How To Train Your Dragon School: Fight of the Flamestrike 01:03:38 Why Reading Aloud Still Matters Full Disclosure is a Global Production Listen or watch every Friday on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. #jamesobrien #DJfattony #LBC LBC is the home of live debate around news and current affairs in the UK. Join in the conversation and listen at https://www.lbc.co.uk/ Sign up to LBC’s weekly newsletter here: https://l-bc.co/signup