Catherine Stock was born in Sweden, the daughter of a diplomat stationed in Stockholm. When she was very young, her family moved to Paris, then South Africa, then New Orleans, and finally San Francisco. Ah, the life of a diplomat's child.

Catherine attended art school at the University of Cape Town. The 70's were tough years in South Africa. The universities were about the only venue for any tolerated vocal protest against apartheid. One summer, Catherine volunteered at a hospital in Zululand, building a fence around a reservoir to keep the cattle out. It was hard work, but Catherine had fallen in love with Africa.

After graduating college, Catherine taught art and art history at a teacher's training college in South Africa. Soon she moved to London to get her teaching certificate and taught at the Loughton School of Further Education in the East End.

Disillusioned by the lack of interest in learning, Catherine decided to move to New York City, where her parents were now living, and gained interest in pursuing her art career. She spent time in New York and got her post-graduate degree at Pratt Institute, but moved back to Cape Town and lived there for three years. However, feeling stifled by the growing tension in South Africa, Catherine moved back to New York.

Catherine is the illustrator of books for children, including Vinnie and Abraham, Emily and Carlo, After the Kill, and the Gus and Grandpa series (Farrar, Straus & Giroux). She is the author and illustrator of A Spree in Paree (Holiday House) and Porc in New York (Holiday House).

Catherine lives part time in New York City and part time in France.

Visit Catherine online.

Books by Catherine Stock