Urbigkit, Cat

P.O. Box 1663
Pinedale, WY 82941
catu2@mac.com
www.paradisesheep.com
Sublette County

Biographical and Professional Information

Author and photographer Cat Urbigkit has published four non-fiction children’s picture books: Brave Dogs, Gentle Dogs; A Young Shepherd; Puppies, Puppies Everywhere!; and Cattle Kids. A book for adults on wolves is expected out in 2007. She and her family are sheep and cattle producers in western Wyoming, where they also raise guardian dogs. She likes to spend her free time with nomadic sheepherders in western Wyoming, documenting their lives, and the lives of their sheep herds, through photography. As a newspaper reporter, and publisher, Cat Urbigkit has won numerous awards for her coverage of agricultural and environmental issues. She has made it her priority to write factual books for children that promote positive views of agriculture in the United States.

Genres

Children's or Young Adult
Nonfiction
Wyoming Subjects

Titles

Puppies, Puppies Everywhere! (2006), Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press, ISBN: 1-59078-363-8.
This title was described by the School Library Journal as "an adorable addition for animal collections" with its brief ryhming text accompanied by full-page photographs. It's a poetic look at puppies for the little ones.

A Young Shepherd (2006). Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press. ISBN: 1590783646.
This title was awarded on the 2006 Ohio Farm Bureau Children's Literature Award Honors List.
Selected by Wisconsin Farm Bureau Women's Committee as 2006 book of the year.
Reviews: School Library Journal said, "The author presents basic information without overwhelming readers. The vocabulary is appropriate, but not technical. The superb, full-color photos correlate wonderfully with the narrative. ... This title is an excellent example of the way it really is ‘down on the farm.’ ”
The Horn Book Magazine said: “Urbigkit's clear text is enhanced with sharp, focused color photographs of Cass working with his lambs, the tools he uses, and the sheep at different stages of growth. A note at the end describes, with photographs and text, five breeds of sheep young people have raised for youth projects.”

Brave Dogs, Gentle Dogs: How they guard sheep (2005). Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press. ISBN: 1590783174.
This title was named an International Reading Association Children's Book Award Notable Book for 2006. It was the 2006 Wyoming Ag Books for Kids book and as well as a 2007 Wyoming Reads pick and is a nominee for the 2007 Mockingbird Award.

Reviews: School Library Journal said, ”A charming photo-essay on guardian dogs. Accompanied by clear, full-color photos, the simple, informative text describes the raising of these sheepdogs and their natural proclivity for guarding "their" flocks. ... This is a gentle introduction to a valuable, useful crew of working dogs, providing protection for ranch stock in an environmentally sound manner.” Booklist said: Through a relaxed narrative and pictures taken in a dramatic Wyoming setting, Urbigkit's photo-essay introduces children to guardian dogs—a category of working dog that is less well known than Seeing Eye dogs and herders. ... But kids will still come away impressed by the ‘unique closeness’ that can develop between two species and will want to return again and again to the heart-tugging images of shaggy puppies nuzzling their charges.”

Speaking Engagements

I entertain invitations for book signings and absolutely love to hear from readers. My next two children's books will be on beef cattle production and migratory domestic sheep outfits. I also have an adult non-fiction book on the history of wolves in Wyoming due for publication in 2007. Stay tuned!