We are delighted to be able to offer some very rare unpublished pieces from Augustus and His Smile, Catherine Rayner’s very first picture book published in 2006.
Catherine tends to make two or three versions of the first spread in the book to, as she says, “get over her initial nerves.” It is these pieces which we are able to offer. Catherine exhibits her fine art and screen prints widely but rarely sells her original book illustrations.
Catherine Rayner studied Illustration at Edinburgh College of Art where, for her final degree show, she created what would go on to be her debut picture book, Augustus and his Smile. The title went on to win Best New Illustrator in the Booktrust Early Years Awards 2006. It was later adapted for theatre at the Royal Albert Hall.
Winner of the 2009 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal for her second book Harris Finds His Feet, Catherine has now been shortlisted five times for this prestigious award.
Catherine was named one of Booktrust’s Ten Best New Illustrators in 2008. In 2010 she was the inaugural illustrator in residence at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Other awards include the English 4-11 Award 2009 and the UKLA Children’s Book Award 2012. Solomon Crocodile was Picture Book of the Year in the Netherlands in 2014, which resulted in the book being animated and adapted for the stage. Norris, The Bear Who Shared was included in The Sunday Times 100 Children’s Modern Classics list 2014. Her most recent book, Smelly Louie, won the Peter’s Book of the Year 2015 and was also shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal, 2015 and the English 4 – 11 Picture Book Awards, 2015.
Originally from Yorkshire, Catherine fell in love with the city of Edinburgh and still lives there with her husband and young son, and a small menagerie of animals. She has a small studio at home with a very big desk that she shares with her cat, Ena.
