Cathy Kreutter
Cathy Kreutter, is a teacher, librarian, publisher, and dual citizen of the USA and Uganda. She worked as a teacher librarian for 25 years at both International Schools and rural schools in Uganda, reading aloud wonderful books, and now she can finally read aloud her own! Cathy's passion is to write books for both Ugandan children and international audiences. Her books are light, humorous, and interactive so that children enjoy the read-aloud and the audience learns more about Uganda. Her books are written on two levels: entertaining for children and well crafted for adults, with a message for the family to share.
For Cathy, a picture book is more than just a simple illustrated story; it is the interplay between the images and the text, it is art. As the writer she loves the creation, crafting, and collaborating process of working as a team with the illustrator and designer. Working on this book with Ugandan friends Andrew Jackson Obol: illustrator and Rita Sabiiti: musician, was very rewarding.
Cathy lives with her husband Tim in Kampala, Uganda, and her books proudly produced in Uganda are internationally recognized. She works closely with many Ugandan illustrators, authors, and publishers to promote the enormous talent in Uganda through her publishing venture "Old Mzee Books: Stories for Families to Share".
This is Joseph's village. Joseph has lived in this village since he was born.
A village where the old and young weave their lives together; a village full of life and sounds!
Tweet! Tweet! Woof! Woof! Woof!
Clang! Clap! Shout! Splash!
One day, Joseph strolled down the road, singing and tapping his old tire rim. His stick went...
Tap, tap, tap!
Tap, Tap, Tap!
He was going to his grandfather's shop...Joseph had no idea of the big surprise waiting for him.
"My uniform! Grandfather, thank you! I will be able to wear it all this year and next year too!"
"Ah Joseph, I am proud of you. Remember, education is..."
"...sweeter than honey," Joseph replied.
"Yes, and something no one can take from you. I believe you will be the first one in our family to go all the way to university."
"I will, Grandfather, I will!" Joseph ran off to his first day of school nearly tripping over his extra-large shirt.
Joseph took great care of his uniform. He washed it, ironed it, and repaired it.
But as Joseph grew older, his uniform grew smaller and older too. He packed it away and almost forgot it until one day...
Joseph visited his grandfather.
"Grandfather, I've joined the football team, but I can't keep my things organized."
"Joseph, bring me that old uniform shirt of yours, let me see if I can make something new.
Grandfather took that old shirt, "Hmmm,' he said.
His scissors went Snip, snip, snip! Snip, snip, snip!
His needle flew in and out, in and out. There was just enough material to make...
...a school bag!
Joseph carried that school bag to all his football matches that year and the next.
Joseph's life got busier and his interests grew. And, as Joseph grew older, his schoolbag became smaller and older too.
He packed it away and almost forgot it until one day...
Joseph visited his grandfather.
(and the story goes on in this pattern!)
