Lauren Child, children's author, gets into character

As the final instalment of her Ruby Redfort series is released, Lauren Child reflects on the quirky kids and teen detectives that have made her so popular, writes Ellie O’Byrne.

Quentin Blake, Beatrix Potter, Dr Seuss: children’s book illustrators often develop a hallmark style all of their very own. Lauren Child, the author of series like Clarice Bean and Charlie and Lola, has certainly joined the pantheon with her distinctive and simple collage illustrations.

But she hit on the technique that made her one of children’s literature’s most celebrated living authors through a simple character trait of her own: indecision.