Catherine Emmett author page

Catherine Emmett biography

Catherine Emmett is a picture-book author. Before writing books for children, she spent fourteen years making spreadsheets, then began writing picture books after giving a career talk to schoolchildren.

Her first picture book, King of the Swamp, illustrated by Ben Mantle, was published by Simon & Schuster Children’s UK on 20 August 2020. The story follows McDarkly, who grows flowers in a swamp, after a roller-skating king decides to concrete over it.

The Pet: Cautionary Tales for Children and Grown-ups, illustrated by David Tazzyman, was published by Macmillan Children’s Books on 13 May 2021. It follows Digby David, who demands a succession of larger pets and finally asks for a gorilla. The book was shortlisted for Oscar’s Book Prize 2022 and won the Coventry Inspiration Book Awards ‘What’s the Story?’ category.

Emmett’s other picture books include Sammy Striker and the Football Cup, illustrated by Joe Berger and published by Macmillan Children’s Books on 8 June 2023, and The Dodo Who Dreamed She Could Fly, illustrated by Claire Powell and published by Simon & Schuster on 31 August 2023.

The Rainbow Flamingo, illustrated by Claire Powell, was published by Simon & Schuster Children’s UK on 23 May 2024. It follows Adele, a flamingo hiding colours under her wings, as the flamingos prepare for the Flamboyance show. The book was one of Toppsta’s 100 Must-Read Children’s Books of 2024 and won Calderdale Picture Book of the Year.

Oxford University Press published Trick or Treat?, illustrated by Laura Brenlla, on 3 October 2024.