Ambassadors

Malorie Blackman OBE is an award-winning writer of over 70 books for children and young adults and has been described by The Times as "a national treasure". In 2005, she was awarded an OBE for services to children’s literature and she was the Children’s Laureate 2013-2015. Malorie is a regular spokesperson for our work and has generously given her time to help celebrate initiatives such as our primary school library campaign.

Cressida Cowell MBE is the author-illustrator of the How to Train Your Dragon, The Wizards of Once and Which Way to Anywhere series, as well as picture books. She was the Children’s Laureate 2019-2022. Cressida has supported all areas of our work, visiting numerous projects across our Literacy Hubs, speaking at Parliamentary Receptions and giving countless media interviews on our behalf. Most recently her support has focused on primary school library provision, which was a key part of her Children’s Laureate manifesto.

Photograph by Debra Hurford Brown.

Charlie Higson is an author, actor, comedian and writer. His children’s books include the Young Bond series and his bestselling zombie-adventure series, The Enemy, which is being developed into a major US movie franchise. TV work includes The Fast Show, which he co-created, co-produced and starred in with Paul Whitehouse. Charlie is a long-standing ambassador, with a specific focus on engaging boys with reading. In 2023 he generously donated all royalties from On His Majesty’s Secret Service, his specially commissioned James Bond adventure which was published to coincide with the Coronation of King Charles III.

Greg James and Chris Smith are the co-authors of Super Ghost, The Great Dream Robbery and the Kid Normal series. Greg is the host of The Radio 1 Breakfast Show, the loosely cricket-based podcast Tailenders and Radio 4’s Rewinder. Chris has worked as a newsreader and presenter on radio stations including Xfm and BBC Radio 1, where the pair met. As well as co-writing with Greg he is the author of his own fantasy books including Frankie Best Hates Quests. Together Greg and Chris have supported our work nationwide, from a multi-school event in our Hastings Hub to sharing exclusive videos and content for children and families during lockdown, to hosting online events for schools. Chris and Greg are proud ambassadors of our Primary School Library Alliance, helping to raise awareness of the need for a library in every UK primary school.

Photograph by Jenny Smith.

David Nicholls is an award-winning novelist and screenwriter. His books include Starter For Ten and One Day, both of which he adapted for screen, Us, which was adapted for the BBC, Sweet Sorrow and, in April 2024, You Are Here. TV and film credits include Much Ado About Nothing, The 7.39, Far from the Madding Crowd and Patrick Melrose, starring Benedict Cumberbatch. A new Netflix adaptation of One Day is coming soon. David is a long-term supporter of our work and a hugely popular guest at our annual Gala Dinner and Summer Party.

Photograph by Hal Shinnie.

Tom Percival has written and illustrated over 20 picture books including the Kate Greenaway-nominated Ruby’s Worry and The Invisible. His middle grade title, The Wrong Shoes, explores the pressure that financial hardship puts on children whose families are struggling, and the National Literacy Trust receives a £1 donation for every copy sold. Tom has given his time to host school events in many of our Literacy Hubs and is a valued supporter of our Libraries for Primaries campaign to ensure all children have access to books and the benefits of reading for enjoyment.

Katherine Rundell is a Fellow of St Catherine’s College Oxford and a bestselling author whose novels for children, include Impossible Creatures, Rooftoppers and The Explorer. In 2020 Katherine curated The Book of Hopes, with contributions from over 110 children’s writers and illustrators to comfort, inspire and encourage children during lockdown. Thanks to the support of Katherine and her publisher Bloomsbury, we were able to offer children, families and schools exclusive free access to the ebook to read and enjoy throughout the school closures. Katherine is also a popular guest at our annual Gala Dinner and Summer Party.

Photograph by Nina Subin.

Francesca Simon MBE is best known for her hugely successful Horrid Henry series and the Two Terrible Vikings series. The opera of her Costa-shortlisted YA novel, The Monstrous Child, with composer Gavin Higgins, premiered at the Royal Opera House in 2019 to great acclaim. She is a 500 Words judge and a former trustee of World Book Day. A passionate campaigner for access to books and libraries for all, Francesca is a valued supporter of our Primary School Library Alliance, and has given numerous interviews to support the profile of our work in this area and beyond.

Photograph by Helen Giles.