Best-selling author, illustrator and now the new Children’s Laureate, Lauren Child fondly recalls her schooldays at Marlborough College, Wiltshire
Who was your best friend"
I didn?t have a best friend exactly. I was 16 when I started Marlborough College, and at that age I think you stop “the best friend thing?, as you have different friends for different things. That said, one of my best friends ? who still is one of my best friends today ? was Cressida Cowell, author of the How to Train Your Dragon series.
I did have a group of really nice friends, and that was one of the things I loved about school. I suppose Sixth Form was also an interesting transition because for the first time in my life I had male friends.
Were you a stalwart of the detention room or teacher?s pet" Neither! Particularly when you?re 16, I think you?re just a bit more grown-up. You learn how to bend rules a bit when you?re that age rather than breaking them.
What prize were you most proud of"
I did win an art prize towards the end of Sixth Form. I don?t know about talent, but for effort I deserved it! I suppose I was awkward about it as my father was the Head of the Art department, and also taught me while I was there.
“my father certainly nurtured my love of art, and indeed everybody’s love of art”
Which teacher stays with you to this day"
My English teacher ? I really loved my English lessons because my teacher introduced me to books I would have ne...