As soon as I talked I told stories...
...my Mum called them fibs!
Once I could hold a pencil I started writing them down. My infant teachers thought my Monday morning news book was a spectacular work of fiction. My junior teachers despaired at my despicable handwriting, disgraceful spelling and the pages and pages I produced for them to read.
Could that face tell a fib?
So, I had some kind of learning difficulty...
...so what?
In high school teachers laughed along at the plays I wrote. Encouraged I went on to study English and Drama at University. There I was diagnosed with a specific learning disorder in English. As I was already on the third year of my degree it was clear I wasn't going to let it get in my way. I went on to complete my primary PGCE.
Those who can...
...teach!
So, back to primary school I went. Everyone else thought I was there as the teacher. I knew I just hadn't grown up enough to be allowed to leave. It took 20 fun-filled years, but eventually I was promoted to high school. This time in the guise of the librarian. I couldn't quite believe my luck, spending all day everyday in a room packed to the rafters with stories!
Are you sitting comfortably?...
...Then I will sing!
When I'm not teaching or wrangling books I'm a vigilante story-teller. With Wylie, my trusty ukulele, I will tell stories anytime, any place. Schools, festivals and libraries hold no bounds. In fact they’re usually happy to let me in.
The library was buzzing with music, laughter, and the sound of young people being enthralled.
- Catherine Cooper, Wellington Literacy Festival
Once Upon a...
...George!
And of course when I'm not telling stories I'm still writing them down. I have far too many stories cramming my head to keep them all in. The only way to stop them running riot in my brain is to pin them down on paper.
I'm an active member of the Society of the Children's Book Writers and illustrators (SCBWI) and represented aby Alice Williams Literary, both of which are fab!