Patrick Skene Catling facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Patrick Skene Catling
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Catling in 2014
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| Born | 14 February 1925 London, England |
| Died | 9 January 2026 (aged 100) Bantry, County Cork, Ireland |
| Occupation | Writer, journalist, book reviewer |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Oberlin College |
| Spouse | Susan Barnes Watson (1949–1960) Diane Wheeler Nicholson (1964–1984) |
| Children | Charlotte Skene-Catling and 3 others |
Patrick Skene Catling (born February 14, 1925 – died January 9, 2026) was a talented British writer. He was a journalist and also reviewed books. He is most famous for his wonderful children's book, The Chocolate Touch, which was first published in 1952. Catling wrote many books, including 12 novels and nine books especially for young readers.
Contents
About Patrick Skene Catling
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Patrick Skene Catling was born in London, England, on February 14, 1925. He went to school there before moving to the United States to attend Oberlin College.
During his younger years, Catling served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He worked as a navigator, helping planes find their way. After his time in the Air Force, he became a journalist. He wrote for important newspapers like The Baltimore Sun and The Manchester Guardian.
Catling loved to travel and explored many different places. He continued writing books throughout his life. He also shared his thoughts on new books by writing reviews for magazines like The Spectator and newspapers such as The Telegraph. Later in his life, he lived in a beautiful part of the Republic of Ireland. Patrick Skene Catling passed away in Bantry, Ireland, on January 9, 2026, at the age of 100.
Writing for Young Readers
Patrick Skene Catling's most well-known book is The Chocolate Touch. When it first came out in 1952, many people loved it. The story is about a boy named John Midas who gains a magical ability. Everything he touches turns into chocolate!
Famous Children's Books
The character of John Midas became so popular that Catling wrote a whole series of books about him. These exciting adventures include:
- John Midas in the Dreamtime (1986)
- John Midas and the Vampires (1994)
- John Midas and the Radio Touch (1994)
- John Midas and the Rock Star (1995)
One reviewer from School Library Journal mentioned that children who have traveled a lot might understand John's feelings of boredom in John Midas in the Dreamtime. This shows how relatable his stories were.
Other wonderful children's books by Patrick Skene Catling include:
- The Orphan and the Billionaire (1990)
- Eskimo Surprise (1993)
- A Trunkful of Tricks (1994)
- Chocolate Magic (2000)
Other Books and Journalism
Besides his popular children's stories, Patrick Skene Catling also wrote books for adult readers. These included novels and non-fiction works.
Some of his novels explored different themes and stories, such as:
- Tourist Attraction (1963)
- The Experiment (1968)
- The Catalogue (1970)
He also wrote non-fiction books, which are based on facts and real events. Examples include:
- Better Than Working (1960)
- The Right End of the Stick (1963)
Throughout his career, Catling remained an active journalist and book reviewer, sharing his insights with readers across various publications.
