Ursula Moray Williams wrote and illustrated over 70 children's books in her lifetime. Born in 1911, she was one of identical twins, both of whom started to write and illustrate their own books at a young age. After spending time in France, Ursula's first book Jean Pierre was published when she was just twenty. Set in the Haute-Savoie region which she knew so well, it followed the adventures of a small boy and his pet goat.
Moray Williams wrote her most famous story, The Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse, in 1938, in which a little toy horse is separated from his toymaker 'uncle' and must endure many dangerous adventures before finally finding a happy ending. A few years later in, 1942, she went on to write Gobbolino, the Witch's Cat, which soon became a firm favourite with children. Her books have been illustrated by Edward Ardizzone and Shirley Hughes, among others.
A new edition of Gobbolino, the Witch's Cat was published in February 2012 on the 70th anniversary of its publication, and Moray Williams' classic tale of courage and hope, The Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse, was reissued in October 2011. Catherine Rayner is a multi award winning author and illustrator based in Edinburgh. Her books for children have sold over two million copies worldwide, been translated into 35 languages, and adapted for television, theatre and musicals.
She has written and illustrated more than 20 of her own books and collaborated with renowned authors including Julia Donaldson, Michael Morpurgo, and Michael Bond. Winner of the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal in 2009, Catherine has since been shortlisted a further six times. Her work has earned numerous accolades in the UK and US, including the UKLA Book Award, BookTrust Early Years Award, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard and most recently, Books Are My Bag Readers' Award.
Originally from Yorkshire, Catherine studied Illustration at Edinburgh College of Art. She fell in love with the city and lives there with her family and a small menagerie of animals who continue to inspire her creative work. Alongside her publishing work, Catherine has designed a successful range of illustrated greetings cards and launched her own babywear collection featuring characters from her books.
She regularly exhibits her paintings in galleries across the UK, and her artwork is held in collections worldwide. Catherine loves meeting readers of all ages and can often be found visiting libraries, schools and book festivals, where she talks passionately about children's literature and encourages children to draw, read and write.
Moray Williams wrote her most famous story, The Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse, in 1938, in which a little toy horse is separated from his toymaker 'uncle' and must endure many dangerous adventures before finally finding a happy ending. A few years later in, 1942, she went on to write Gobbolino, the Witch's Cat, which soon became a firm favourite with children. Her books have been illustrated by Edward Ardizzone and Shirley Hughes, among others.
A new edition of Gobbolino, the Witch's Cat was published in February 2012 on the 70th anniversary of its publication, and Moray Williams' classic tale of courage and hope, The Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse, was reissued in October 2011. Catherine Rayner is a multi award winning author and illustrator based in Edinburgh. Her books for children have sold over two million copies worldwide, been translated into 35 languages, and adapted for television, theatre and musicals.
She has written and illustrated more than 20 of her own books and collaborated with renowned authors including Julia Donaldson, Michael Morpurgo, and Michael Bond. Winner of the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal in 2009, Catherine has since been shortlisted a further six times. Her work has earned numerous accolades in the UK and US, including the UKLA Book Award, BookTrust Early Years Award, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard and most recently, Books Are My Bag Readers' Award.
Originally from Yorkshire, Catherine studied Illustration at Edinburgh College of Art. She fell in love with the city and lives there with her family and a small menagerie of animals who continue to inspire her creative work. Alongside her publishing work, Catherine has designed a successful range of illustrated greetings cards and launched her own babywear collection featuring characters from her books.
She regularly exhibits her paintings in galleries across the UK, and her artwork is held in collections worldwide. Catherine loves meeting readers of all ages and can often be found visiting libraries, schools and book festivals, where she talks passionately about children's literature and encourages children to draw, read and write.
