About Me

Multi-award-winning author and illustrator Catherine Rayner has written over 20 books for children and illustrated many more for other well-known authors including Julia Donaldson and Michael Morpurgo. Her books have been adapted for musicals, television and theatre.

Originally from Yorkshire, Catherine studied Illustration at Edinburgh College of Art.  She fell in love with the city and still lives there with her husband, two young sons, and a small menagerie of animals, including the latest addition - a miniature dachshund called Otto. Catherine loves animals and is inspired by the creatures which surround her.

Her second book, Harris Finds His Feet, won the 2009 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal, and Catherine has now been shortlisted six times for this prestigious award.

Catherine also exhibits her original artwork worldwide, has her own illustrated card range, and often works on other exciting and unusual collaborations. In 2021 Catherine launched her own babywear label. She loves meeting little readers and can regularly be found visiting libraries, schools and book festivals to talk about children’s literature, and to encourage and inspire children to draw, read and write.