Hello, I’m Ella English – Author and Illustrator of ‘Katy on Broadway’

I’m an author and illustrator based in Baltimore, USA, best known for my children’s book ‘Katy on Broadway’. This charming chapter book aimed at 5-7 year old’s follows the adventures of Katy, a singing tuxedo cat living in New York City.

Although I live in Baltimore, the setting for Katy on Broadway is the bustling metropolis of New York. “I chose New York because it’s such an iconic city, especially for big dreams and making it on Broadway.”

The story starts with Katy Cat singing in her backyard tree in Manhattan.

Birds and a squirrel tease Katy, saying she can’t sing and she’s too scared to make it in the big city. But Katy believes in herself and escapes the yard, meeting a streetwise cat named Weasel. Together they have adventures in her quest to be a singer, but you’ll have to read the book to find out if she makes it on Broadway!

I was inspired by my own tuxedo cat who is always singing.

Has cute googly eyes and her own Instagram account. “@a.tux.called.mouse is the real Katy Cat!” My cat became the inspiration for a singing kitty’s adventures in New York City.

‘Katy on Broadway’ is the first in the Kitty in the City series set in New York City. Book 2 hits shelves in 2024. My books inspire kids to follow their dreams, even when others tell them they shouldn’t persevere. “Kids will learn to not give up on their goals.”

Over the years, I wrote many books for adults and children. More recently, I started illustrating my children’s books too.

For ‘Katy on Broadway’, I created fun illustrations of Katy and her pal Weasel set against iconic NYC landmarks like Times Square and the Empire State Building. “It was really fun to draw them against the exciting backdrop of New York.”

I hope to get Katy on Broadway into more libraries and schools, as it contains educational facts about Broadway and NYC.

“I’d love to have this book in libraries so kids can follow Katy’s adventures.”

Though now living in Baltimore, I was born in London and the city still inspires me. “Growing up there was magical, with sights like the London Eye and Tower Bridge,” I reflect. This vibrant upbringing influences my books’ imaginative spirit.

I was always reading as a child. I would read while I was brushing my teeth and while I walked to school. And when I wasn’t reading, I was writing. My favorite author was Judy Blume, and I wrote a book inspired by her where I was the eldest of six children, living in America. I was like their mom and they were always doing mischievous things like squirting toothpaste all over the ceiling. It is funny that I wrote that book while I was a child in the UK as I now live in the US…it’s like I could predict the future!

Stay tuned for more of Katy’s adventures in the vibrant streets of New York City. I aim to bring the possibilities of big city to life for kids everywhere.

I have more children’s books underway, like a middle grade zombie mermaid adventure that will be published by Hear My Voice Publishers later this year.

Learn more about my books or on TikTok. My books capture the excitement of following your dreams and I look forward to connecting with other authors and readers at Authors’ Lounge.

If you want to grab some copy of my Book please visit my Amazon Authors Page.