Catherine Rondina is an author and educator based in Toronto, Canada.

As a child, Catherine was a reluctant reader who struggled throughout elementary school. Her love of reading was sparked by Mrs. D. (the Grade 4 teacher at Jackman Avenue Public School), who gave her a copy of E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web. From that point on, Catherine knew she had to be a writer.

Her research and writing skills developed through many stints writing for magazines, newspapers, and educational anthologies. Catherine then explored how to write her own books and started pitching ideas to publishers. Since that time, her books have won the Hackmatack Award (Atlantic Canada), and the OLA’s Forest of Reading Silver Birch Award (twice!). She has also won the Teacher’s Choice Award (USA) and was nominated for the Rocky Mountain Book Award (Alberta).

Catherine is well-known in the Canadian writing community as a strong supporter of writers (whether they be young or young-at-heart, novices or established). She is an active member of CANSCAIP and served on their Board and programming committee for years. In addition, Catherine is a member of The Writers Union of Canada and taught many aspiring children’s writers while an instructor at George Brown College. Catherine is very proud to mentor the members of her current writing group, many of whom have gone on to have their own work published.

Catherine can tell you all about her first library card. However, she is prouder still of her career with the Toronto Public Library, which has allowed her to develop programming in literacy for both young adults and children—especially reluctant readers!

Having visited hundreds of schools, libraries and bookstores across Canada (both in-person and virtual), Catherine is a dynamic speaker who can engage with a variety of audiences on a number of topics.

She would love to chat with you about reading, writing…and all the exciting discoveries that can be found within books!