Cressida Cowell FRSL (née Hare, born 15 April 1966) is a British author. She is best known for the book series How to Train Your Dragon, which has subsequently become a media franchise as adapted by DreamWorks Animation. As of 2015, the series has sold more than seven million copies around the world.

In addition to her other publications, Cowell works with illustrator Neal Layton in the ongoing series of Emily Brown stories. The first in the series, That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown, won a Nestlé Children’s Book Award.

Cressida Cowell grew up in London and on a small, uninhabited island off the west coast of Scotland. She was convinced that there were dragons living on this island, and has been fascinated by dragons ever since. 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. Cressida loves illustrating her own work, but also loves writing books for others to illustrate as the end result can be so unexpected and inspiring.