Book excerpt: Full of sketches, doodles and journal entries, Travels with My Sketchbook gives a fascinating glimpse of the incredible journey of Chris Riddell's time as Children's Laureate. After two years travelling the length and breadth of the country, visiting schools, libraries and festivals, and meeting thousands of children, Chris Riddell has wrapped up his experiences into one beautiful edition. Gorgeously presented, the book is full of his train doodles and early sketches from books written during the period – including Goth Girl and the Wuthering Fright and The Hunting of the Snark – alongside handwritten manuscripts and cover roughs. Also included political sketches created for the Observer, and his Laureate Log: reflections on key events and prizes in the world of children's books, providing a time capsule into the years of his time as Laureate. Plus, there are birthday sketches, impromptu portraits, posters and Christmas cards, sketches for poems and song lyrics. This is a book to treasure – and an incredible insight for fans of this beloved author and illustrator.