About Me

Catherine Rayner is a multi award winning author and illustrator based in Edinburgh. Her books for children have sold over two million copies worldwide, been translated into 35 languages, and adapted for television, theatre and musicals. She has written and illustrated more than 20 of her own books and collaborated with renowned authors including Julia Donaldson, Michael Morpurgo, and Michael Bond.

Winner of the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal in 2009, Catherine has since been shortlisted a further six times. Her work has earned numerous accolades in the UK and US, including the UKLA Book Award, BookTrust Early Years Award, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard and most recently, Books Are My Bag Readers’ Award.

Originally from Yorkshire, Catherine studied Illustration at Edinburgh College of Art. She fell in love with the city and lives there with her husband and children, and a small menagerie of animals, including Otto the dachshund and Shannon the horse, who continue to inspire her creative work.

Alongside her publishing work, Catherine has designed a successful range of illustrated greetings cards and launched her own babywear collection featuring characters from her books. She regularly exhibits her paintings in galleries across the UK, and her artwork is held in collections worldwide.

Catherine loves meeting readers of all ages and can often be found visiting libraries, schools and book festivals, where she talks passionately about children’s literature and encourages children to draw, read and write.