Welcome to Marianne's Web Site

Book Expo America is the largest annual book trade show in the USA, and this year, Jill Dubin, the illustrator of two of my books, attended. Held over four days in late spring, for the past few years it’s been at the Jacob K. Javitz Convention Center in New York City. Book publishers across the country and abroad preview their upcoming titles and network with other booksellers. Authors, librarians and buyers for book retailers attend this premier event.

Jill Dubin autographed copies of my newest release,Over in Australia, Amazing Animals Down Under, which received a Mom’s Choice Gold Award. An esteemed panel of judges for this award includes educators, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists and producers. Both of my books so beautifully illustrated by Jill have received this coveted award.

In 2007 I also had the privilege of autographing at BEA. Little did I dream that as I sat in this overwhelmingly huge convention center, autographing Over in the Jungle, a Rainforest Rhyme (also a Mom’s Choice) that four years later there would be another of my books being recognized at BEA! And guess what? Jill is working on another “Over” book as I write this. It’s called Over in the Forest: Come and Take a Peek and will be released by Dawn Publications in early 2012. Who knows? Maybe we’ll both be at BEA next year. (Positive thinking!) Wouldn’t that be fun for two former New Yorkers!

Click below to see the many books Jill has illustrated.

http://www.jilldubin.com/books.html

Jill Dubin
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In May many birds that breed in the U.S.A. migrate. The American Bird Conservancy (see link below) has listed ten things people can to do protect migratory birds in their homes and yards. One thing is to "create a backyard habitat" by planting flowers and shrubs that attract native birds.

Here in Florida I am sad that migrating birds are traveling to their "summer" homes. But how lucky we have been to see and hear them in Florida's flora all winter long. While I always enjoyed bird watching back in New York, and down here in Florida, I never really got into it that much until I wrote "Marsh Morning." That required going out very early in the morning to hear birds begin their melodies and really listen. It was magical, and I learned so much! If you are not familiar with my book, "Marsh Morning", about fifteen different birds making music throughout the day, I hope you will check it out. Young naturalists, as well as youngsters who enjoy music, will have a great time as part of the marsh's daytime audience. And at dusk, the birds stop their serenading, and frogs take over to make the music of the night. "Marsh Music", my first book, complements this book. They are "an entertaining way to teach chidren about both nature and music." Booklist
Enjoy the sights and sounds!

http://www.abcbirds.org/

American Bird Conservancy
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The "Authors for Earth Day" event at Jupiter Farms Elementary School that I participated in, thanks to Sylvan Learning Center, empowered kids to help care for our earth.

Author visits by Suzy Kline (NY), Dan Gutman (PA), Conrad Storad and Brooke Bessen (AZ) and me (FL) inspired thousands of students toward smart environmental stewardship. Together we raised money for conservation, bringing the two-year total A4ED contributions to $10,350! (This was the 2nd year for this very worthwhile event.)

The not-for-profit conservation organizations that received donations this year were: Clearwater Environmental Organization, Greenpeace, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, Phoenix Zoo Conservation and World Wildlife Fund. If you know where Busch Wildlife Sanctuary is, you've figured out which one the terrific kids at Jupiter Farms Elementary voted for.

Busch Wildlife is dedicated to the protection and conservation of Florida's wildlife. It offers the whole family an opportunity not just to see animals but to learn about nature and wildlife. Nature trails lead visitors to wildlife exhibits of native Florida animals. There is also a wildlife hospital designed to take care of sick, injured and orphaned wild animals. Thousands of animals have received care there. To learn more see the link below.

Kudos to everyone who made "Authors for Earth Day" possible, especially to Brooke Bessen who organizes the event every year. Hopefully next year even more "eco-minded" authors and illustrators will donate their time (just one day a year) to visit a school in their area on "Authors for Earth Day" and give kids "a voice" to help care for our planet.

http://www.authorsforearthday.org/

Authors for Earth Day

http://www.buschwildlife.com/

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary
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If you live near Orlando, I'll be reading two of my picture books at the Orlando Science Center this coming Saturday, May 7, 1:00-3:00.

I'll be in the earth and space science hall, Our Planet, Our Universe reading, of course, Going Around the Sun: Some Planetary Fun. It is one of eight books recently nominated for the 2011-2012 FRA Children's Book Award! Illustrator, Janeen Mason created the background to each of the planetary illustrations by melting crayons on heated paper, creating a unique and textured background suggestive of space.

Today's children--the generation that may put a colony on Mars--are growing up knowing that Earth, Mars and other planets are part of a "family of planets."

Neil deGrasse Tyson, Director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York wrote: "If the Sun were a poet, then "Going Around the Sun" captures just what it would say to its beloved family of planets."

Can't wait for more Florida kids to read my book as one of the 2011-2012 nominees. And of course, kids all across the country have been enjoying the brilliantly illustrated pictures for the past three years, along with my story!

And now I'll have the wonderful opportunity to tell kids in Orlando more about this book, as well as my best selling book Over in the Ocean, in a Coral Reef, at the Orlando Science Center, as together we "reach for the stars!" Hope to see you there!

http://www.osc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=16&Itemid=139

Orlando Science Center

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Some weeks ago, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by phone by California author, Patricia Newman. Patti interviews children's authors and illustrators for a monthly column she writes that appears in regional parenting magazines. Not only is Patti a talented author of wonderful picture books, she visits schools where she inspires kids to keep reading and writing, presents at conferences, does writers' workshops and has interviewed over 100 children's authors and illustrators.

What a thrill to read her profile of "yours truly" in the April issue of California Kids. I was amazed at how much information she got about me from our fun conversation on the telephone. Patti even included a photo of me with our dog, Corky! This woman can really write!! To be in the company of so many esteemed authors and illustrators whose books I was reading to kids at libraries here in Florida, and before that at schools in New York, WOW! Did I ever dream? Thanks, Patti. You sure made my day!

Click onto the link below and hit "back" at the top left to read all of Patricia's author profiles. It's a great resource for parents and educators. And you can learn all about Patricia and her books too.

http://www.patriciamnewman.com/berkes.htm

Patricia Newman Interview
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Don't miss this great event!
"April is for Authors"
Saturday, April 30, 2011 from 9am-3pm
Palm Beach Gardens High School
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

FREE ADMISSION

"A fun-filled day for families and teachers to meet their favorite authors....author panels, book signings, author presentations, along with examples of student publishing using technology from Marshe Pointe Elementary School and Palm Beach Gardens High School.

Created by a group of dedicated Palm Beach County educators as a way for students to interact with their favorite authors, this wonderful event will provide not only a valuable experience for the children, but also an opportunity for authors and illustrators to connect with their audience and each other.

AUTHORS' BOOKS WILL BE AVAILABLE THE DAY OF THE EVENT FOR PERSONAL AUTOGRAPHS! Click below to see web site!

http://aprilisforauthors.org

April is for Authors
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This year I joined "Authors for Earth Day," a coalition of children's authors and illustrators who celebrate Earth Day in classrooms from California to New York. We share our books, promote environmental awareness, and raise money to support conservation.

Each participating author schedules a school visit around Earth Day and donates their speaking fee to a 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation organization.

Sylvan Learning Center of Jupiter is generously making the donation instead of paying me. Students at Jupiter Farms Elementary School will vote for five conservation organizations that they have chosen and the winner will be announced on the day of my visit. This special one-day event is designed to empower kids to find their "voice" as writers and as voters, and to use that voice to help care for our earth. Can't wait to share my nature-awareness books with students there, and also find out which organization is their "winner." Will keep you posted! HAPPY EARTH DAY BIRTHDAY! Read More 

The 2011 UCF Book Festival, in association with the Morgridge International Reading Center, will be held
Saturday, April 16, 2011 at the UCF Arena in Orlando.

Join us for one of Florida's premier literary events,
featuring renowned national and local authors, book signings and sales, exhibits, book appraisals, and special children's activities.

Admission is free and there will be something for everyone.
Check out the UCF website and come with the entire family as together we celebrate the joy of reading.

Look for me at 9:30 when I'll be reading and signing books.
Then at 1:30 I have the privilege of being on a panel with two amazing children's authors, Carmen Agra Deedy and Jan G. Annino as we discuss "Opening Children's Hearts to Culture and Nature." Hope to see you there!

http://education.ucf.edu/bookfest/authors.cfm

UCF Book Festival
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I'm looking forward to meeting lots of kids and their families this coming Saturday, April 2, at the Palm Beach Zoo.
At 11 a.m., I'll be reading from my newest book, "Over in Australia, Amazing Animals Down Under" and at 1 pm, we'll be in the rainforest, with "Over in the Jungle!" The book readings are free with zoo admission and will include up-close encounters with appropriate animal ambassadors from each book. What fun! And, I'll be signing copies of my books for kids to take home and enjoy. For more information, see

http://palmbeachzoo.org/events.html

Palm Beach Zoo
Scroll down to April events!
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Can't believe that in less than a week, I'll be doing a workshop, "Beyond the Storybook" at the Annual NSTA Conference in beautiful San Francisco. Look for me on Saturday, March 13 in Room 309 from 2:00-3:30 P.M. when I share lots of curriculum connections with science teachers, using my nine picture books.

I'll autograph books from 3:30-4:30 on Saturday at the Dawn Publications Booth 1219,and also on Friday.
I look forward to chatting with science teachers from all over the country about how to integrate science by reading my books in a natural way. It's "fiction, fact and fun!"  Read More