Dave Cousins
Dave Cousins’ books have been hailed as “teen realism with action, humour and heart”. He is also the author/illustrator of the Charlie Merrick’s Misfits series.
Published in over twelve languages, 15 Days without a Head was a Sunday Times Children’s Book of the Week, a Junior Library Guild Selection in the US, and has won awards in both the UK and Europe. Waiting for Gonzo won the Grampian Children’s Book Award, and was shortlisted for the prestigious German Children’s Literature Prize in 2017. Gonzo also has its own original soundtrack album and music videos. Both books were nominated for the Carnegie Medal.
The first Charlie Merrick’s Misfits adventure Fouls, Friends & Football was described as “football—Tom Gates style”. It was selected for the Book Trust School Library Programme and the First Minister’s Reading Challenge in Scotland. The next installment, I’m a Nobody, Get Me Out of Here! was chosen as one of The Times Best Summer Reads. The story finds Charlie and the gang stranded at a bush-craft and survival training camp, and features a number of real survival tips.
Having abandoned childhood plans to become an astronaut, and a decade of playing in a band (who were almost famous), Dave now writes full time. When not scribbling stories in his attic, Dave tours extensively giving talks and running workshops in schools and at literary events across the UK and abroad.
Dave’s events have been described as “stand-up with books”, or as one student put it: “well funny!” A mix of anecdotes, pictures, readings and leaping about! Audiences learn some of the true tales that inspired the books, as well as tips on writing and drawing their own stories.
Dave lives in Hertfordshire with his wife, children, and a grumpy cat.
