Lauren Child, born as Helen Child on 29 November 1965, is an English children's author and illustrator. She is best known for the Charlie and Lola picture book series. Her artistic influences include E. H. Shepard, Quentin Blake, Carl Larsson, and Ludwig Bemelmans.

Child introduced Charlie and Lola in 2000 with the book I Will Not Ever Never Eat A Tomato, for which she won the annual Kate Greenaway Medal. This award is given by the Library Association for the year's most "distinguished illustration in a book for children". For the 50th anniversary of the Medal (1955–2005), a panel named it one of the top ten winning works, which comprised the shortlist for a public vote for the nation's favourite, eventually finishing third in the public vote.

Lauren was the UK Children's Laureate from 2017-19. Growing up in Wiltshire as the middle child of three sisters and the daughter of two teachers, she has always been interested in the many aspects of childhood. Before venturing into children's literature, Child ran her company 'Chandeliers for the People', making lampshades. It was only with her work on Clarice Bean, That's Me that she decided to devote her time to writing and illustrating books.