Catherine Urdahl

Catherine started writing children’s books when she was eight years old. Her first book, illustrated in crayon and tied up with yarn, didn’t sell a single copy. But it was fabulous, just the same.

Emma’s Question—her first official book—is a picture book about a little girl dealing with the illness of her grandma. The story is loosely based on her family’s experience following her mom’s diagnosis with ovarian cancer.

Catherine’s second picture book, Polka-dot Fixes Kindergarten, is scheduled for publication (also by Charlesbridge) in 2011.

Catherine completed the Loft Literary Center’s Master Track Program in Children’s Literature in December 2008. She is a 1984 graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn.

Catherine now lives in Shorewood, Minn., with her husband, two daughters and pet rabbit.

Emma's Question
illustrated by Janine Dawson
Charlesbridge Publishing, 2009
ages 4 to 8
ISBN 978-1580891455 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1580891462 (softcover)

Everything feels different after Emma finds out her beloved grandma is sick and in the hospital. Who will take her out for bagels and make up funny stories about the people at the next table? Who will take care of her after school? As usual, Emma has lots of questions. But as she tries to go about her day, the scariest question of all scritch-scratches at the back of her throat, threatening to pop out at the worst possible moment.