Peter Catalanotto

Since 1990, Peter has presented in over 1600 schools in 40 states, showing his creative process from inspiration to finished book. He demonstrates student-friendly strategies for getting ideas and developing them.

Peter shows children how the simplest things from everyday life can become an interesting and imaginative story. He also draws in each program, showing tips and techniques that children are eager to try.

Many teachers have written to tell Peter how inspired and empowered their students were to write and draw after leaving his program. Some have told Peter children will want to stay in from recess to create a story or they’ve asked if they can take their journals with them out to the playground.

Peter tailors his presentation for different grade levels; appropriate for grades Kindergarten through 6th. He also has a presentation for educators at conferences and in-services. He shows teachers many basic, child-friendly strategies to inspire even the most reluctant writer. He also gives the teachers tips to make them more confident as writers and writing instructors.

Peter has published 48 books for children, 18 of which he has written, including Ivan the Terrier, Matthew A. B. C. and Emily’s Art. His newest book, Monkey & Robot; Plans and Pipedreams, will be released in the fall of 2021. He has illustrated for some wonderful writers, including Cynthia Rylant, Mary Pope Osborne, Joanne Ryder, Megan McDonald, George Ella Lyon and Robert Burleigh.

Peter currently teaches the first children’s book writing class offered by Columbia University and Pratt Institute.

A few of Peter’s books