Marianne Berkes
Marianne Berkes is the author of ten picture books, all inspired by her love of nature. A former teacher, librarian and children’s theater director, Marianne brings her experiences to good use, as she combines fact and fiction. Berkes is a favorite presenter at schools, conferences, and literary festivals. She lives in Hobe Sound, Florida, with her husband, Roger.
Interview
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
Curious George by H. A. Rey and Heidi by Johanna Spyri
What’s your favorite line from a book?
“I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” —The Little Engine That Could
Who are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?
Eric Carle, Kevin Henkes, and April Pulley Sayre.
Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?
Music, literature, and theater have been a constant in my life, and I started writing plays and stories as a child. My Dad loved to write, especially in rhyme, and our home was filled with a love of nature, music, and books. Like my Dad, I too like to write in rhyme, and am a stickler for facts. I really like doing the research and always discover something new and exciting in the process, so writing creative nonfiction is what I enjoy doing most.
Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?
Write about topics that really interest you and be thinking about how kids relate to it. Love what you do and never give up. Ernest Hemingway wrote: “An author is a writer who never quit!”
