Cathey’s aim, through her characters, is to teach kids all over the world to dream, think, laugh and love – to “hang in there” especially when times are tough.

Diane Cathey, while writing late one night, was interrupted by two young opossums as they frolicked their whimsical nature outside the door. Since North America’s only marsupial ‘the opossum’ hadn’t been on center stage since Pogo, she created the POSSUM TWINS.

While Cathey wove the tales of the prankish Possum Twins, Odell and Okie, she brought them to life in a magical setting, the Animal Forest, where they would discover her other creations: cagey K.G. Rabbit, the can do Tommy Turtle and sweet little Sarah Song Sparrow.

Cathey studied writing for children and teenagers at the Institute of Children’s Literature in 1997. She studied the Arts and Crafts of Screenwriting, a course taught by Dyann S. Rivkin, an award-winning writer-producer from Hollywood in 2004. Her first work produced, HERE I STAND, a documentary on the life and legacy of Martin Luther, received an “Honorable Mention” at the 2002 Columbus Film and Video Festival.

Cathey’s love for nature led her to share her passion through reading to the local children in Nashville, Tennessee, where she developed a large following of children, hungry to hear more about the antics of the Possum Twins from week to week.

While realizing the Possum Twins and Friends were so popular with the children and such a strong vehicle for teaching them to hang in there when times are tough, Cathey formed Animal Forest Creations.

Email Diane: Diane@PossumTwins.com

DOBIE GRAY - singer and songwriter – whose hit recordings include “THE CROWD, LOVING ARMS, OUT IN ON THE FLOOR and DRIFT AWAY (most recently, re-recorded by Gray & Uncle Kracker), was first introduced to Diane Cathey, creator of Animal Forest Creations, at a screenwriting seminar at Border’s Bookstore on West End Avenue in Nashville.

For both Dobie and Diane, their introduction would become a meeting of the minds – set in a positive tone of children’s’ stories and songs filled with imagination. “Diane has a wonderful grasp on the innocence of a child’s way of thinking,” Dobie said. “It’s a great gift.”   

Artists in assorted fields of music have recorded a number of Dobie’s songs, but until now he has never attempted writing songs for children. He credits Diane with bringing that about in his career.

After their meeting, Dobie was invited by Diane to participate in her creations – THE POSSUM TWINS. “The concept was so refreshing,” Dobie said. “I jumped right at it.” Dobie recently completed two songs for the Possum Twins’ project: YOU CAN’T JUDGE CREATURES BY THEIR FEATURES (starring a Skunk Rapper) and IF I COULD BE A RAINBOW (inspired by one of Diane’s stories, “Making a Rainbow.”)

Through the years, Dobie has been involved with various children’s and wildlife organizations including Vanderbilt’s Children’s Hospital, Tennessee School For The Blind, Walden’s Puddle Wildlife Rehabilitation Center , Outlook Nashville, The Sumner County Humane Society and Dixieland BMX Races.

“When I read Diane’s stories they held such appeal for me,” Dobie said. “What really struck a note with me was that aside from her central characters being warm and funny, there was the message of learning and caring that she conveyed in her writings. Those topics and the way she handled them were very close to my own views in that I also have a strong belief in Kids learning good values, kindness and understanding early on in their lives. Diane’s concern for the welfare of Animals was also a huge inspiration to me, as I am an avid animal lover, too.

When I first heard the Animal Forest songs – POSSUMBILITIES (The Possum Twins’ theme song), IT’S CHRISTMASTIME and SNOWFLAKES EVERYWHERE, I found myself laughing and at the same time feeling a tug at my heartstrings. I knew by the images they brought to mind, that we’d have a terrific time in the recording studio. I was right! It was an experience I shall never forget, but one that I hope to repeat time and again.”

For more about Dobie Gray, please visit his website: www.DobieGray.com

Email Dobie: Dobie@PossumTwins.com