Catherine Rayner
Award-winning author and illustrator 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 Ena and goldfish, Bruce. However, it was animals of a slightly larger kind who were the inspiration for her first picture book, Augustus and His Smile – Catherine drew many of her initial sketches of him whilst watching the tigers at Edinburgh Zoo.
In 2006 Catherine was awarded the Best New Illustrator Award at the BookTrust Early Years awards and was also short listed for the V&A Illustration Awards 2006. Augustus and His Smile was selected as one of five picture books to be featured and recommended on Channel 4's 'Richard and Judy Christmas Party' in December 2006. Since January 2007, Augustus and His Smile has been nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal and short listed for the 'Read it Again' Cambridgeshire Picture Book Award and the English 4-11 Award 2007. Catherine also regularly exhibits her art work in galleries all over Scotland and also illustrates her own range of cards.
Books
Augustus and his Smile
Author: Catherine Rayner Illustrator: Catherine Rayner
Publisher: Little Tiger Press
Interest age: 2+
Reading age: 3+
Augustus is a tiger, who though large and fearless, is sad, because he has lost his smile. He goes on a journey to find it.
Clare and her Captain
Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Catherine Rayner
Publisher: Conkers (Barrington Stoke)
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 7+
While on holiday in Devon, Clare strikes up a touching friendship with an elderly man and his beloved horse. This moving tale of loneliness, loss and friendship is beautifully illustrated and particularly suited to dyslexic readers.
Ernest
Author: Catherine Rayner
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Interest age: 2+
Reading age: 6+
Ernest’s huge, friendly face fills up the spreads of this gorgeously illustrated book.
Harris Finds His Feet
Author: Catherine Rayner
Publisher: Little Tiger Press
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+
Harris leaps joyfully across the pages, against vibrant washes of colour, as he learns to be independent for the first time.
Iris and Isaac
Author: Catherine Rayner
Publisher: Little Tiger Press
Interest age: 2+
Reading age: 4+
This gorgeous story from an award-winning picture book- maker is a classic tale of friendship between two quarrelling polar bears. Rayner's illustrations are a delight and her animals are full of character.
Norris, the Bear who Shared
Author: Catherine Rayner
Publisher: Orchard Books
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 7+
Norris the bear is patient, and prepared to wait for life's pleasures, such as the plorringe hanging from the tree, not quite ripe.
Smelly Louie
Author: Catherine Rayner
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 6+
Louie goes on a hunt to try and find is old pongy smelly scent.
Solomon and Mortimer
Author: Catherine Rayner
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
Interest age: 3-5
Catherine Rayner’s cheeky character, Solomon Crocodile, is back - and this time he’s joined by his friend Mortimer, looking for some fun. Fun and sweet; a snappy read to enjoy at bedtime.
Solomon Crocodile
Author: Catherine Rayner
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+
Everything is peaceful on the river, until Solomon Crocodile appears and disturbs everyone from the frogs to the dragonflies to the storks. When he takes on the hippos peacefully bathing in the river, they decide enough is enough.
Sylvia and Bird
Author: Catherine Rayner
Publisher: Little Tiger Press
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+
A story that gently explores themes of expectation, loneliness, friendship and valuing others.