AUTHOR

Catherine Bateson grew up in a second-hand bookshop in Brisbane, an ideal writer's childhood. Since 1990 she has published poetry and young adult's fiction whilst living in Central Victoria with her husband and two children.

Catherine's first novels for young adults, A DANGEROUS GIRL, and its sequel THE YEAR IT ALL HAPPENED (UQP), expertly use a variety of poetic forms including haiku, free verse, free renga and acrostic. In these forms she develops deep narratives that portray the dramatic, but everyday, changes that can happen in a year.

PAINTED LOVE LETTERS (UQP 2002) is a portrait of a family coping with death. Writing in her poetic voice, Catherine is never indulgently sentimental but consistently challenges taboos.

Catherine has written three books for younger readers. RAIN MAY AND CAPTAIN DANIEL was published in 2002 and has since won several awards, including the 2003 CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers.

MILLIE AND THE NIGHT HERON followed in 2005, a 2006 CBCA Honor Book. Her most recent novel, BEING BEE also picked up the gold sticker, winning the 2007 CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers.

Catherine's younger reader books are ideal for primary and lower secondary students.

Catherine has taught creative writing for the past thirteen years, and has been a guest writer at many schools. Her work has been read on radio and featured on television. She has also appeared at various poetry and writers festivals throughout Australia. Catherine works with a wide range of students from lower to upper secondary and has presented a number of specific workshops on poetry and prose techniques. She has also led enormously successful fantasy/science-fiction writing workshops.

"Catherine's workshops for junior and middle school students were informative and creative. The student activity which followed readings from her prose and verse novels were challenging and enjoyable."
- Peter Hillman, Balwyn H.S.