Katherine Paterson, King College graduate and award-winning children's author.
Bristol, Tenn. -- When Walt Disney Pictures' latest film opens in theatres, Tri-Cities residents will be able to tell their children about a special local connection to the movie.
Bridge to Terabithia, the new Disney film based upon the beloved Newbery-Award winning novel of the same name, was written by Katherine Paterson, a 1954 graduate of King College. Bridge tells the story of two young friends who use their imagination to create a magical hidden kingdom named Terabithia.
Paterson is a prolific writer of children's literature. For more than three decades, her career has been lauded with numerous awards. She is the recipient of two Newbery Medals, a pair of National Book Awards and was named the 2006 recipient of Sweden's national Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, which is the world's largest children's literature prize.
Paterson recalls her time at King as four years spent doing what she loves most -- reading English and American literature. According to her official website at www.terabithia.com, Paterson began honing her writing skills at an early age. After graduating from King in 1954, she attended graduate school in Richmond, Va., and then began her career as a writer in earnest in 1964. Since that time she has published more than 30 works for her adoring fans, including favorites such as Jacob Have I Loved and The Great Gilly Hopkins.
For more information about the movie, visit the official movie website at http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/terabithia/. The book is widely available at most booksellers or can be purchased online at www.amazon.com.
