Cathy Stefanec Ogren
Cathy Stefanec Ogren began her writing career scripting plays for her neighborhood friends and persuading parents to come and watch with the promise of Oscar-winning performances. Cathy’s home was filled with books. Her parents encouraged reading which also fueled her desire to write.
Graduating with a degree in Elementary Education, Cathy lived and taught in Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin. Before retiring, she was a school librarian and was passionate about introducing new and diverse books to her students. She now resides with her husband in New Hampshire. Along with writing, Cathy enjoys reading to her four grandchildren and engaging them in creative activities and play.
Cathy has had two early chapter books published and has also been published in educational and children’s magazines. She is a PAL member of SCBWI and the 12 x12 Picture Book Writing Challenge. She believes in reading and writing books that children can use as magical tools to feed their curiosity and teach them about the world.
Her debut picture book, PEW! THE STINKY AND LEGEN-DAIRY GIFT FROM COLONEL THOMAS S. MEACHAM, illustrated by Lesley Breen (Sleeping Bear Press, Spring of 2023), is the story of Colonel Meacham’s gift to the president of the United that grows from a slice of an idea into a legen-dairy surprise that causes a big stink and chaotic public reception at the White House in 1836.