Catherine Corley Anderson facts for kids

Catherine Corley Anderson (born March 21, 1909 – died December 12, 2001) was an American author who wrote many books for children. She is known for her engaging stories and her creative work with puppet shows.

About Catherine Corley Anderson

Catherine Corley Anderson was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 21, 1909. Her parents were Gaynor and Anna Higgins Corley. She passed away on December 12, 2001, in Mint Hill, North Carolina. On January 15, 1930, she married Charles Melvin Anderson in Chicago.

Her Early Life and Education

Catherine was one of four children in her family. Her parents believed strongly in the importance of education. She grew up in a home filled with culture, discussions about politics, and lots of books.

She attended Mercy High School and later went to the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1933, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Art Education from the institute. This education helped her combine her love for art and teaching.

A Creative Career

After college, Catherine became an art instructor for the Chicago Park District. She taught art at several parks, including Shedd Park, Dvorak Park, and Palmer Park. It was at Palmer Park that she met her husband, Mel.

Puppet Shows and Awards

Catherine and Mel loved performing puppet shows together. They even worked with Burr Tillstrom, who later became famous for the TV show Kukla, Fran and Ollie. This shows how creative and talented Catherine was.

Catherine also showed her writing skills in contests. In 1945, she won second place in the New World Short Story Contest. Her story, "Guests in the Monastery," earned her a $25 war bond. In 1950, she won another second-place award. This was at the Midwest Writers Conference for her story "Nika of Illinois." This story was for young readers and was about a Native American boy during the time of Father Marquette.

Catherine and Mel later started their own company, the Chicago Marionette Company. They worked with high school students to create and perform puppet shows. Catherine also wrote many poems, often using the pen name "Coralie."

Writing for Young Readers

Catherine Corley Anderson wrote several books specifically for children. One popular series was about a Catholic school sister named Sister Beatrice. Two of her most well-known books were Sister Beatrice Goes West and Officer O'Malley on the Job.

She also wrote biographies for young readers. These books told the life stories of famous people. She wrote one about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and another about President John F. Kennedy. Her books helped young people learn about different characters and historical figures.