Marianne Berkes is an award-winning author of seven published picture books:
Marsh Music, Lerner Publications 1-800-328-4929
Seashells by the Seashore Teacher's Choice Award
Dawn Publications 1-800-545-7475
Marsh Morning,Lerner Publications FRA 2004-2005 Award;Science Books & Films Best Book List.
Over in the Ocean, in a Coral Reef, Dawn Publications, 2005 PMA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award; Marion Vannett Ridgeway Honor Book; National Parenting Publications Gold Award; Learning Magazine Teacher's Choice Award 2006; Bank Street College 2005 Best Children's Books; FRA Honor Book Award for 2006-2007.
Over in the Jungle, a Rainforest Rhyme,Dawn Publications, iParenting Media Award 2007; Mom's Choice Award 2008; IRA Teachers' Choice Award 2008.
Going Around the Sun, Some Planetary Fun,Dawn Publications, March 2008
Over in the Arctic, Where the Cold Winds Blow,Dawn Publications, coming in Sept. 2008
ATTENTION TEACHERS! E-mail me for reproducible book marks for my Ocean, Rainforest and Planet books. Click onto "My Books," to learn more about each book.
NEWS FLASH: "Over in the Jungle, A Rainforest Rhyme" is an IRA 2008 Teacher's Choice Winner!
A former teacher and children's librarian, Marianne now lives in Florida and writes full-time. She is a presenter at schools and literary conferences.
Marianne's programs are interactive. After reading "Marsh Music" the audience performs a frog chorus. In the "Ocean" and "Rainforest" books,children can sing and act out the story. Programs can be geared to a course of study such as the wetlands, oceans and seashores,the rain forest,and the universe.
Marianne takes aspiring writers through the world of book publishing, discussing how a picture book is made from the time she gets her idea to when she is holding the finished product in her hand. Questions and answers are an important part of this workshop, which is adjusted to a particular grade level. Marianne's goal is to inspire others to write stories, sharing their own thoughts, ideas and feelings.
The illustrator of Marianne's first three books is watercolorist, Robert Noreika, a representational painter of nature. who makes her words come to life in a realistic way.
Her next two books, "Over in the Ocean,in Coral Reef" and "Over in the Jungle, a Rainforest Rhyme, are illustrated by Jeanette Canyon, whose amazing colors and shapes are actually "eye-popping" photographs of reliefs sculpted from polymer clay.
"Going Around The Sun, Some Planetary Fun," released March 2008, is illustrated in brilliant colors by award-winning author and illustrator, Janeen Mason.
BOOK REVIEWS More reviews on each "book" page. For ISBN's click onto "My Works."
"Marianne Berkes' children's books sing of nature!"
--The Palm Beach Post
"Marsh Music has the visual and verbal pizzazz to make it a read-it-again treat."
--School Library Journal
"Seashells by the Seashore is an instructive shell hunt children will enjoy even if they can't feel sun on their backs and sand between their toes."
--Booklist
Marsh Morning:"Through rhythmical verse couched in musical terms and luminous watercolor paintings, this book takes young readers through a day in a marsh from dawn to dark..Two stars (Highly Recommended)"
--Science Books & Films
Over in the Ocean, in a Coral Reef "Eye-popping artwork is the star of the show in Berkes' lively, oceanic counting book, based on the classic children's song "Over in the Meadow." Canyon uses polymer clay to create arresting visuals...." --Kirkus
Over in the Jungle, a Rainforest Rhyme "This is a handsome book on an important subject, and it can serve as recreational reading as well as an introduction to a basic unit on the rain forest." --School Library Journal
"Marianne read her books to our K-4th graders and was awesome. Her program actively involves the students."
"Ms. Berkes is a wonderful and energetic presenter. Her program was lively, fun and educational."
"Marianne thoroughly entertained our students (and teachers) reading her wonderful books. We look forward to having her back again with her next book."
"Marianne visited our elementary school and read her charming book, "Marsh Music." The children had such fun imitating various frog sounds that it actually felt like we were out in the marsh at night hearing sounds of frogs."
"I watched my second graders absolutely spellbound by Marianne's quiet and effective reading of her book about shells. How she connected with the children was pure magic. You can tell she loves children and understands them so well. I cannot wait to introduce all of her books this year."
"Marianne's lively presentation at our library's seminar for writers captured the attention of aspiring authors and fed their hopes. Her wondrous success story is tangible proof of a talent that will take her on even greater adventures."
"Marianne Berkes is wonderful with children, truly involving them in her entertaining presentations. We were the Marsh Orchestra with its myriad frog songs, we heard the birds as morning was breaking, and we were the collectors of seashells. Mrs. Berkes makes her books come alive and the children love it. The stories are fun, informative, and very well written; and Mrs. Berkes brings them to life with her puppets, her bucket of shells, and her enchanting delivery."
"Ms. Berkes enthusiastic presentation was excellent. There was a great storytime-vibe going on, especially with "Over in the Ocean, in a Coral Reef."
"Marianne's interactive presentation "Fun, Fact and Fiction" provided literacy, math, music, art and science enrichment. We thoroughly enjoyed her visit and can't wait for her new book next year!"
