Cat is a storyteller and writer.

She was born and raised in Liverpool, where her grandmother saw an angel, her uncle fell off the Liver Building and her grandfather donated his shirt buttons to Beatles’ fans. Now she lives in Wales, a land of mist and magic.

After school, Cat studied Drama at Hull University. She worked as an actor and singer then became a professional storyteller in 1998.

Cat uses all the skills she has learned over the years in her storytelling. She’s a strong physical performer, graceful one moment, grotesque the next! She can be fast and funny, or bewitchingly still. Sometimes she sings. Sometimes she uses rhyme or rhythm. For Cat, telling a story means taking a listener on a journey. The road may twist and turn… it may grow dark and dangerous (Cat tells scary ghost stories!) … but then, unexpectedly, there’ll be a shimmer of light… the shadows will melt away… and you’ll find something wondrous. And whatever it is, it won’t be boring…

Cat performs at storytelling and literature festivals both in the UK and abroad. She has enjoyed many sell-out shows at The Guardian Hay Festival, and appeared at the Barbican in London. Her international work includes the prestigious Festival d’Automne in Paris and Graz Tales in Austria. She also performs in arts centres, theatres, schools, museums, castles, woods and libraries, and in village venues under the National Rural Touring Scheme.

Cat (right) on Go 4 It

On television, Cat has been a guest presenter on Carlton Television’s Heart of the Country, and on radio she has performed live for two million listeners on Radio 4’s Front Row. She has also appeared on The Verb (Radio 3) Go 4 It (Radio 4) and The Big Toe Show (Radio 7)

NEWS FOR 2008

Cat writes:

Last year I was impossibly busy with the Read A Million Words in Wales project. This year is the National Year of Reading, so I could be even busier! 

I'm going to feature my third novel WILD MAGIC in my NYR school workshops. WILD MAGIC has been doing really well. First I recorded it for the BBC as an audiobook, then the American rights were bought by Bloomsbury USA and it has just been shortlisted for the Bolton Children's Book Award 2008.

Like my previous two novels, WILD MAGIC is a book for 8 - 14 year olds. I'm often asked if I write books for younger children and until now, I've had to say 'No.' But now I can say YES! I have written a book called JACO THE LEEK for 6 - 9 year olds. It will be out in June, published by Pont Books. I have also written a picture book for Under 5s. I don't what the title will be - or when it will be out - but I can tell you it's about a rabbit and a lantern, and the lantern will light up when you press it! It will be so pretty. That will be published by Caterpillar Books.

Don't worry - I haven't forgotten my older readers! I am just finishing a book called THE HAIRY MARYS for readers 8+.

I still spend more time storytelling than writing. In the autumn, I will be touring a fabulous new show for adults called STRANGE TALES. In September, I have been invited to perform at the Fabula Storytelling Festival in Stockholm (I can't wait!) I'm also hoping to work on a new show of traditional English tales with the wonderful folk singer Emma Heath.

Somehow I will find the time to create a new infant show for the autumn: TALES FROM FROZEN LANDS. I recently bought some gorgeous hand puppets - seals and penguins and a lovely little polar bear - and I really want to start using them!

And finally, talking of penguins, there's a penguin story on my first CD: BIG HAPPY STORIES. I've recorded six magical stories for children under 7. Great fun! If you would like to buy a copy, drop me an email via the Contact Cat link. They cost £7 inc p&p.