This was part of the 'Hit List' - Every week they ask an independent retailer to recommend 10 books and on this occasion it was Lesley Agnew at the Muswell Hill Children's Bookshop 'Doesn't Matilda's Mummy know that elephants don't need socks? Or that Emily Brown doesn't need calls on her emergency phone when she is having adventure's? Over protective parenting causes problems in the latest in the delightful Emily Brown series.' -- Independent on Sunday 20090927 'Captivate the children and undermine the parents. What more could you ask for a book for thee-five year olds?' -- Sunday Telegraph 20091201 'Life lessons here for all over-threes.' -- Independent on Sunday 20091201 'Anxious parents who are too quick to reach for their mobiles are warned off over-protectiveness by the intrepid characters in this delicious fantastical adventure.' -- The Guardian 20091201

Cressida Cowell grew up mostly in Central London. She has a BA in English Literature from Oxford University, a BA in Graphic Design from St Martin's and an MA in Narrative Illustration from Brighton. She lives in Hammersmith, London with her husband, three children and a hamster Mini. Neal Layton was born in Chichester, West Sussex. Many of his ideas come he says from his childhood. In the past he has worked on a lettuce farm, in a chocolate factory, a teapot factory, a book shop and has delivered papers. Neal has illustrated more than 40 books to date working with award winning authors such as Michael Rosen and Roger McGough. 'Oscar and Arabella' which he both wrote and illustrated won him the Smarties prize in 2002. He now lives in Southsea, Portsmouth with his girlfriend who is also an artist, and their baby daughter.