Cathy Hope's carefree childhood in New Zealand included adventures on family farms, exploring riverbeds and beaches, fishing, making cubbies, and climbing trees. Her admiration for New Zealand's landscape, flora, fauna, and culture influences her writing. Cathy, a primary school teacher, has over thirty books published for children and educators. She lives with her family beside the sea at Frankston in Victoria, Australia, and often makes trips back to New Zealand.