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Catherine Rayner was born in Harrogate and now lives in Edinburgh. She has a BA Hons in Visual Communication and Illustration from Leeds College of Art and Edinburgh College of Art. Much of her inspiration – and occasionally modelling! – for her illustration comes from her pets: her horse Shannon, guinea pig Marvin, dog Ellie, cat Emma and two goldfish, Bruce and Sheila. Catherine was shortlisted for the Booktrust Early Years Award Best New Illustrator in 2006, and she won the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal in 2009.
Julia Eccleshare, the editorial expert on Lovereading4kids says, Prize winning illustrator Catherine Rayner has created stunning picture books introducing delightful characters including Harris, a hare with exceptionally large feet and Ernest, a moose who is determined to get himself into a book – no mean feat when you are too big to fit in the pages. Gorgeous, warmly coloured large scale pictures lie at the heart of Catherine’s work.
Author photo copyright Caroline Heffernan
A new book from Greenaway winner Catherine Rayner is always going to be a visual treat and the luminous watercolour and inked images are a delight. As one bear meets another the initial reaction is defensive and even hostile, but Other Bear defuses the situation with calm friendliness and they go on together; each thinking their own thoughts but now moving in the same direction. Grunty Bear is a bit embarrassed by his first negative reaction to them and follows along. Very Big Bear is even more direct: “Go Away” he says and when asked why, says “ Because I don’t know you” Again he is disarmed by calm friendliness and again he follows along and we are told the four of them are beginning to think alike: that it is pleasant to be with other bears. Then they find Stuck Bear up a tree who insists he is fine: “But a Stuck Bear clearly needs help” and they all cooperate to help. So, in a gentle and non-dogmatic fashion, important points are made. There can be a tendency in humans to be wary of difference, but this is a lovely way to demonstrate empathy and will generate lots of discussion and could perhaps help to make a difference to our future generations' attitude toward helping 'stuck bears' all over the world.
Longlisted for the UKLA Book Award 2022 ages 3-6 | Shortlisted for CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2021 | Having suffered heatwaves and COVID anxiety, we can all empathise with the tired and grumpy Arlo who just cannot sleep. The hero of the Greenaway medal winner’s new book speaks to us all, but particularly to over-tired and over excited small children who do not know how to let go of the day. Luckily for Arlo, and for children, Owl is to hand with some useful advice on how he manages to sleep when everyone is awake during the day. The logic of receiving advice from a nocturnal animal will really register with this audience. “Have a good stretch from your nose to your toes/ Do a little wriggle, let your eyes gently close/Relax your whole body, slow your breathing right down/ Imagine you’re sinking into the soft ground". The gentle refrain that Owl teaches Arlo is the perfect antidote for us all- a little bit of mindfulness that would also be a lovely calm down routine in the classroom! Not only are the illustrations a visual feast, with a stunning colour palette marking the transitions between night and day, but Arlo and Owl are beautifully characterised. Another trademark from this hugely talented author is the warm humour. Arlo is so excited by his long and restful sleep that he must tell Owl- and wakes him up! The song is reciprocated with success and their joint celebrations at dusk wake the rest of the neighbourhood and a duet is required to restore calm. The repeated refrain will be one that is copied in homes and classrooms everywhere. Useful for mindfulness and as an introduction to Night and Day topics, this stunning book is a real triumph of beautiful words and images working in absolute harmony.
How many children dream of flying? Of what it would be like to soar through the air like a bird? This beautiful book is the next best thing, giving readers insight into the lives of some very special birds. Each turn of the page introduces a new subject, and we learn about red-capped manakins dancing in the rainforests of South America, the long-legged godwit, which migrates from Alaska to New Zealand every year, and, closer to home, noisy long-tailed tits, woodpeckers and peregrine falcons. Full of information, it reads like an adventure story too as we discover more about the birds’ extraordinary lives and habits. Catherine Rayner is one of our best-known illustrators, a Kate Greenaway Medal winner, and captures perfectly the physical presence of her subjects in glorious illustrations that fill the pages. A book to open up children’s eyes to birds and the wonder of nature.
Award-winning illustrations by Catherine Rayner show the cheeky young crocodiles Solomon and Mortimer who love to play tricks and make surprising things happen. When they try to play a trick on the great big hippo that is wallowing in the river, they find that they are the ones who are tricked. And what a great big splash they make! Catherine Rayner creates a beautiful, watery landscape for her mischievous young crocs!
Prize-winning illustrator Catherine Rayner fills her pages with big animals. This time it is Solomon the crocodile with great big teeth who wants to play - but Solomon’s idea of play is rather different from everyone else. Solomon charges and stalks - “Uh oh” - no one wants to play with him! But then someone turns up who wants to play just like Solomon… Find our favourite bedtime reads for toddlers here!
Nobody smells quite like Louie. This pongy pooch has his own particular odour and it is definitely NOTHING like roses and apple blossom. After he’s forced to have a bath, Louie is determined to recreate his Special Smell so he sets off on a mission – what will he find? An old boot that smells like mouldy cheese? Some stinky bins? None of them are quite right … but what will happen if they are all mixed together?
Shortlisted for CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2021 | Having suffered heatwaves and COVID anxiety, we can all empathise with the tired and grumpy Arlo who just cannot sleep. The hero of the Greenaway medal winner’s new book speaks to us all, but particularly to over-tired and over excited small children who do not know how to let go of the day. Luckily for Arlo, and for children, Owl is to hand with some useful advice on how he manages to sleep when everyone is awake during the day. The logic of receiving advice from a nocturnal animal will really register with this audience. “Have a good stretch from your nose to your toes/ Do a little wriggle, let your eyes gently close/Relax your whole body, slow your breathing right down/ Imagine you’re sinking into the soft ground". The gentle refrain that Owl teaches Arlo is the perfect antidote for us all- a little bit of mindfulness that would also be a lovely calm down routine in the classroom! Not only are the illustrations a visual feast, with a stunning colour palette marking the transitions between night and day, but Arlo and Owl are beautifully characterised. Another trademark from this hugely talented author is the warm humour. Arlo is so excited by his long and restful sleep that he must tell Owl- and wakes him up! The song is reciprocated with success and their joint celebrations at dusk wake the rest of the neighbourhood and a duet is required to restore calm. The repeated refrain will be one that is copied in homes and classrooms everywhere. Useful for mindfulness and as an introduction to Night and Day topics, this stunning book is a real triumph of beautiful words and images working in absolute harmony.
A beautiful observation of the many different moods and behaviours of an irresistibly attractive kitten. Told in a simple rhyming text matched by wonderful expressive illustrations Posy is shown in all her different poses as ‘Playful wrangler, knitting tangler’, ‘Mirror puzzler, ice-cream guzzler’ and many more. A must for cat lovers everywhere.
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month July 2019 | Cleverly blending story and information and beautifully illustrated, Hello, Horse captures the best qualities of a horse called Shannon and describes how a very special bond between and animal and a child can be made. Vivian French brief text provides the perfect introduction to the different features of a horse and to details about how a horse should be approached by a child. She explains how to touch and feed a horse and also how to ride one! Catherine Rayner’s illustrations capture the gloss of Shannon’s coat, the sinews of her body and, above all, her characterful expressions which bring her to life perfectly.
Two stars of the children’s literary world are at their best in this beautiful and eloquent picture book. The Go-Away Bird grumpily tells everyone to go away – we’ve all been there, little children included – but fortunately when she really needs friends at her side, they come back. The message about the importance of friendship and sharing is expertly and memorably delivered via Julia Donaldson’s lively rhyming text and Catherine Rayner’s vibrant illustrations. Eyes, ears and hearts will be captured by the story and there’s lots to discuss while reading.
Cleverly blending story and information and beautifully illustrated, Hello, Horse captures the best qualities of a horse called Shannon and describes how a very special bond between and animal and a child can be made. Vivian French brief text provides the perfect introduction to the different features of a horse and to details about how a horse should be approached by a child. She explains how to touch and feed a horse and also how to ride one! Catherine Rayner’s illustrations capture the gloss of Shannon’s coat, the sinews of her body and, above all, her characterful expressions which bring her to life perfectly.
The tiger star of this very beautiful counting book first appeared in Catherine Rayner’s picture book Augustus and his Smile. Not only does he look gorgeous in this new story – bold black stipes overlay vibrant orange and gold – but he’s hugely expressive too so that even the youngest child will understand why he’s sad at first, and how that changes as he makes new friends. The large format shows the illustrations off to full advantage and it’s a good size for sharing too. More than just a counting book, this is just the thing to introduce children to the power of art and illustration. ~ Andrea Reece
One of our Books of the Year 2015 - November 2015 Julia Eccleshare's Book of the Month | Award-winning Michael Morpurgo is always at his best when writing about the countryside and the animals in it. Here, in a story inspired by his wife’s childhood, he writes about young Clare, visiting Devon for the summer holiday from her home in London, and forging a very special friendship with an old man and his horse. Michael Morpurgo brings the sights, sounds and smells of a hot summer in the English countryside vividly to life. Catherine Rayner’s delicate illustrations capture the scenes perfectly too.
Stunningly illustrated by award winning illustrator Catherine Rayner, this is a handsome gift edition of an enduring classic by best-selling author Michael Bond the creator of Paddington Bear. Olga da Polga’s devil-may-care-charm soon gets her away from the pet shop and off into a thrilling new life. From her airy cage in the garden of her new owner Olga meets Noel the cat, Fangio the hedgehog and Graham the tortoise who soon get embroiled in her stories and adventures. ~ Julia Eccleshare
A reissue to mark the 10th Anniversary of this absolutely delightful picture book. The opposing emotions of happiness and sadness are conveyed quite beautifully throughout Augustus’s story until at last his smile returns because he starts looking at the wonderful world around him. Augustus and His Smile was the well-deserved winner of the ‘Early Years – Best New Illustrator Award’ and was shortlisted for the 2007 Greenaway Medal. The Greenaway Judges' comment: A very fresh and appealing book which makes good use of mixed media to convey the feel of a real tiger. Rayner’s broad loose strokes reflect the beauty of the animal, and give him real expression and emotion: so much is conveyed in the flick of his tail. The whole has a Zen-like simplicity but it is also a very physical book which draws you in. There is real artistic skill here and great maturity of style.
One of our Books of the Year 2016 | Longlisted for the UKLA 2017 Book Award and Julia Eccleshare's Pick of the Month, February 2016 Award-winning illustrations by Catherine Rayner show the cheeky young crocodiles Solomon and Mortimer who love to play tricks and make surprising things happen. When they try to play a trick on the great big hippo that is wallowing in the river, they find that they are the ones who are tricked. And what a great big splash they make! Catherine Rayner creates a beautiful, watery landscape for her mischievous young crocs!
Nobody smells quite like Louie. This pongy pooch has his own particular odour and it is definitely NOTHING like roses and apple blossom. After he’s forced to have a bath, Louie is determined to recreate his Special Smell so he sets off on a mission – what will he find? An old boot that smells like mouldy cheese? Some stinky bins? None of them are quite right … but what will happen if they are all mixed together?
One of our Books of the Year 2015 - November 2015 Julia Eccleshare's Book of the Month | Award-winning Michael Morpurgo is always at his best when writing about the countryside and the animals in it. Here, in a story inspired by his wife’s childhood, he writes about young Clare, visiting Devon for the summer holiday from her home in London, and forging a very special friendship with an old man and his horse. Michael Morpurgo brings the sights, sounds and smells of a hot summer in the English countryside vividly to life. Catherine Rayner’s delicate illustrations capture the scenes perfectly too.
Stunningly illustrated by award winning illustrator Catherine Rayner, this is a handsome gift edition of an enduring classic by best-selling author Michael Bond the creator of Paddington Bear. Olga da Polga’s devil-may-care-charm soon gets her away from the pet shop and off into a thrilling new life. From her airy cage in the garden of her new owner Olga meets Noel the cat, Fangio the hedgehog and Graham the tortoise who soon get embroiled in her stories and adventures. ~ Julia Eccleshare
Louie the dog has just had a bath - and he is NOT happy about it. He smells all wrong. Determined to get his Special Smell back, he goes on a hunt for it and meets lots of smelly things along the way - a fox, some interesting dustbins and a marvellously muddy puddle to roll in. Will he succeed in getting his smell back? And, more importantly, will he be able to keep it this time ...?
Prize-winning illustrator Catherine Rayner fills her pages with big animals. This time it is Solomon the crocodile with great big teeth who wants to play - but Solomon’s idea of play is rather different from everyone else. Solomon charges and stalks - “Uh oh” - no one wants to play with him! But then someone turns up who wants to play just like Solomon… An entertaining book about different kinds of play. Solomon Crocodile was shortlisted for the 2012 Kate Greenaway Medal. The Judges said: The depiction of the animal characters is superb, with Solomon the archetypal naughty toddler. The use of colour is exquisite throughout, and the book has a real sense of vibrancy and energy. There's such variety in the layout but the images follow on from each other perfectly.
Gobbolino is a cat who can do magic but, despite his family’s traditions, he doesn’t want to be a witch’s cat. All Gobbolino yearns for is to be a quiet, fireside, kitchen cat. But how can he find a home? Gobbolino’s search for the perfect home is a series of delightful adventures taking him from an orphanage to a palace, a sailing ship to a travelling Punch and Judy show. Everywhere that the home-seeking Gobbolino goes, he finds love and generosity – the very thing that he is searching for as a contrast to the cruelty of witches. The late, great Joan Aiken supplied a foreword. One of a range of Macmillan Classics, beautifully produced hardback editions of some of the best-loved stories from the past. Each has a introduction by another author who, in their turn, have been influenced by the great writers of these books.
Shortlisted for the 2015 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal Louie the dog has just had a bath - and he is NOT happy about it. He smells all wrong. Determined to get his Special Smell back, he goes on a hunt for it and meets lots of smelly things along the way - a fox, some interesting dustbins and a marvellously muddy puddle to roll in. Will he succeed in getting his smell back? And, more importantly, will he be able to keep it this time ...?
Reissued for its 70th anniversary, this classic tale, which has never been out of print, has been loved by generations of children. This edition with stunning illustrations by award winning Catherine Rayner is truly exceptional and a gift at any time of the year but particularly for Halloween and Christmas.
Olga da Polga was the sort of guinea-pig who would go places. With a head full of stories and a nose for adventure, Olga da Polga is quite a handful. And, when she moves in to the Sawdust family's garden, life for Noel the cat, Fangio the hedgehog and Graham the tortoise suddenly becomes much more exciting!
Stunningly illustrated by award winning illustrator Catherine Rayner, this is a handsome gift edition of an enduring classic by best-selling author Michael Bond the creator of Paddington Bear. Olga da Polga’s devil-may-care-charm soon gets her away from the pet shop and off into a thrilling new life. From her airy cage in the garden of her new owner Olga meets Noel the cat, Fangio the hedgehog and Graham the tortoise who soon get embroiled in her stories and adventures.
Prize-winning illustrator Catherine Rayner has produced a new outstanding title. Polar bears Iris and Isaac fall out over sharing their nest. Each stomps away in a Big Bear Huff but soon both find that they don’t enjoy anything half as much on their own. Luckily, they are reunited and find they can share the nest after all. Set against a stunning winter landscape, this is a perfect book about friendship.
Prize-winning illustrator Catherine Rayner has produced a new outstanding title. Polar bears Iris and Isaac fall out over sharing their nest. Each stomps away in a Big Bear Huff but soon both find that they don’t enjoy anything half as much on their own. Luckily, they are reunited and find they can share the nest after all. Set against a stunning winter landscape, this is a perfect book about friendship.
A charming Nature Storybook all about looking after goldfish - inspired by the author's own pet fish. My Pet Goldfish is a delightful picture book with facts by the Greenaway Medal-winning author-illustrator Catherine Rayner. The child narrating this story has been given their first ever pet: a tiny fish with shimmering scales and bright beady eyes... Their very own goldfish! Sitting alongside the gentle narrative and dynamic illustrations, the subtext introduces facts about goldfish and their care - some gentle, some funny, some fascinating - making this a perfect choice for first-time owners.
A charming new Nature Storybook all about looking after goldfish - inspired by the author's own pet fish. My Pet Goldfish is a delightful picture book with facts by the Greenaway Medal-winning author-illustrator Catherine Rayner. The child narrating this story has been given their first ever pet: a tiny fish with shimmering scales and bright beady eyes... Their very own goldfish! Sitting alongside the gentle narrative and dynamic illustrations, the subtext introduces facts about goldfish and their care - some gentle, some funny, some fascinating - making this a perfect choice for first-time owners. Catherine Rayner has a marvellous gift for capturing the souls of animals in a few, rich washes of colour. Daily Telegraph
From a star picture-book partnership, Julia Donaldson and the award-winning Catherine Rayner comes a gorgeous story about friendship and working together. 'The Go-Away bird sat up in her nest, With her fine grey wings and her fine grey crest.' One by one, the other birds fly into her tree, wanting to talk or to play, but the Go-Away bird just shakes her head and sends them all away. But then the dangerous Get-You bird comes along, and she soon realizes that she might need some friends after all . . . The Go-Away Bird combines brilliant rhyming verse from much-loved children's author Julia Donaldson, creator of the bestselling picture books The Gruffalo and What the Ladybird Heard, with stunning illustrations from the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal-winning Catherine Rayner. A charming story about the power of friendship from a thrilling creative partnership, this beautiful book is perfect for reading together.
A timeless and always appealing tale getting a well deserved new lease of life with delightful illustrations from award winning Catherine Rayner.
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