The Basketful Relief Project
Award-Winning Children’s Books to Feed Young Tummies and Minds
Supporting Famine and Crisis Relief Efforts at Home and Abroad
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
– Antoine de Saint-Expuéry, The Little Prince
Check out the BIO’s of the BRP family of creators
Hi, I’m Catherine …
AWARD-WINNING Children’s Book Author and Founder of the Basketful Relief Project (BRP)
… but people call me Cat. I’m passionate about storytelling, planet earth, and helping my neighbor, especially infants and children in need.
In years past, I spent 16 years working at the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) where I was called the balloon lady, managed my own digital video company, Spike Productions, and have enjoyed my time walking goats, where I was called the goat lady(some nicknames really stick, huh!). I hope one day I will be known as the children’s book lady!
My husband and I climbed Bugaboo Spire in British Columbia, Canada on our honeymoon, and in 2019, my heart was moved to help support famine and crisis relief efforts at home and around the world.
It was then I spearheaded the Basketful Relief Project: Beautiful Children’s Books to Feed Young Tummies and Minds, where I am writing children’s books and donating proceeds from book sales to support established famine and crisis relief organizations. To date, the Basketful Relief Project has financially supported international efforts in Yemen, the Ukrainian refugee crisis, as well as donated locally to the Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA), and the Lyons Vet Clinic charity fund for fire victims and their pets. Since 2019, I have written seven children’s books, chapter and picture, six published in 2022, with the seventh chapter book due out this summer, 2023.
“You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing.”
– EB White, Charlotte’s Web
Check out Readers’ Favorite reviews for all books
Readers’ Favorite 5-Stars
“Action, drama, and suspense, The Last Storyteller by Catherine Ann Russell will give you all this and more. Brave animals defending their land and a group of young warriors discovering themselves amid a war kept me glued to the story. I loved reading every intriguing chapter; from the opening scene to the final battle, I was captivated and in awe. Russell does a fantastic job of bringing each character to life. At the back, creative illustrations help us visualize these characters and scenes. This unique story features various animals and mythical creatures living in harmony but ruled by a Mouse King. His size does not matter because his fearless spirit makes him a great leader. Journee’s development and realization of her gift is a beautiful plotline. We all are gifted with talents and can choose to use them for good or evil. This story will teach children about love, hope, and never giving up.”
Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers’ Favorite
International Book Awards Contest, 2023
THE LAST STORYTELLER
Shout Out!
The Pond of Reflection wins a gold medal in the 2022 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards contest in the Children’s Adventure genre.
Three-year-old Reads Picco and Wren Three
Coming Up!
The Basketful Relief Project will be a featured exhibitor at the Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference, June 15-17, 2023, in Denver, CO.
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Spike Productions is a sister company to the Basketful Relief Project.
“Not all those who wander are lost.” – J.R.R. Tolkien
