"Over in the Forest: Come and Take a Peek," which will be released any day now, already received a wonderful review in the January issue of "Kirkus." Hooray for Jill Dubin and me, and for our terrific publisher, Dawn Publications!
"Having already explored the ocean and jungle, planets, the Arctic and Australia, Berkes this time focuses her "Over in the Meadow"–derived lyrics on a temperate deciduous forest.
Readers are treated to a look at a forest habitat and its more familiar denizens, including beaver, turkey, woodpecker and ’possum. As in her previous titles, there is a nice balance between math and the animal information. Berkes introduces children to the names given to baby forest animals, indicating them with italics—fawns, joeys, hatchlings, poults, chicks and kits. The number is set in a different color type, while the numeral is featured prominently at the bottom of the page. Dubin gives readers several opportunities to practice, illustrating both the baby animals and their tracks, both of which can be easily identified and counted. In addition, she hides another forest dweller on each page. Her paper-collage, colored-pencil and pastel artwork is filled with gorgeous textures that echo the natural world of the forest. Berkes rounds out the text with educational backmatter: a list of the hidden animals and a few facts, a section that reveals her artistic license, some forest facts, detailed paragraphs about each of the featured animals, the music and lyrics, notes from both the author and illustrator, activities to extend the book and resources for more information.
Formulaic? Perhaps, but none can argue with the educational value, nor the fun—what will she tackle next? (Informational picture book.3-8)"
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New & Noteworthy News!Celebrate Florida's Literacy WeekJanuary 16, 2012
"Reading just 20 minutes a day makes a difference! Research shows that children who read just 20 minutes a day are more successful students and have a reduced chance of dropping out of school."
In celebration of the joy of reading and Literacy Week beginning Jan 23, I'll be visiting three Florida schools; two in Lake County and one in Palm Beach County, and also presenting at the Palm Beach Gardens Library on Jan 27. Please check out my schedule under "events" on this web site to learn more. HAPPY READING! Literacy Week A Picture Book is a Present You Can Open Again and Again!December 18, 2011
A few weeks ago there was an article in The New York Times that warmed my heart:
“For Their Children, Many E-Book Fans Insist on Paper.” While e-books have their place in today’s generation of readers---two of my picture books are already e-books---most parents want their young children to experience turning “real” pages of a picture book, and I couldn’t agree more. I have fond memories of reading to my daughter as we snuggled in bed after the busy activities of the day ceased and we “climbed” into a picture book. She would slowly turn the pages, pointing to words and touching the pictures, enjoying the story that the illustrations brought to life. (The “feel” of the book and the size and shape can’t be standardized into an electronic format.) One of our favorites was the dynamic duo: “George and Martha.” (Two adorable hippos) We probably read about their hilarious adventures at least ten times. And by then, she was reading the books to me! While the first book was published in 1974, I think my grandkids, now reading chapter books and using iPads, would still find picture books by the incredibly talented James Marshall fun to read. I'm thinking of picking up a copy at Barnes & Noble before visting them at Christmas, so three generations can enjoy these sweet tales of friendship. A picture book can be enjoyed at any age. The combination of art and text make it a unique reading experience! And, unlike an e-book, it can be around for a long time! This holiday season give a child a magical book that he/she can open again and again! The New York Times Review from "School Library Journal" for "Animalogy"December 6, 2011
BERKES, Marianne. Animalogy: Animal Analogies. illus. by Cathy Morrison. unpaged. charts. Web sites. CIP. Sylvan Dell. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-60718-127-9; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-1-60718-137-8; ebook $9.95. ISBN 978-1-60718-147-7. LC 2011006510.
PreS-Gr 4–Use this rhyming book about animals with students to explain the concept of analogies. “Robin is to wing, as goldfish is to fin. Beaver is to build, as spider is to spin.” Body parts, size, sounds, actions, and animal classification are all included in the examples. Detailed and realistic illustrations give moose, bears, and frogs a ready-to-jump-off-the-page appearance. The lion and dog look ferocious, but fit the pairing of “Dog is to bark, as lion is to roar.” The final image shows a man reading Animalogy to children around a campfire with several animals from earlier pages in the background. Extensive activities are provided at the end of the book and online. The online activities feature cross-curricular lessons, learning games, and projects. This book makes learning about analogies, new vocabulary, and animals easy to understand and fun.–Nancy Baumann, University of Missouri-Columbia Goin' to the Zoo; How About You?November 30, 2011
Marianne Berkes Book Reading
Saturday, December 3 - 11 AM, 1 PM & 3 PM The Palm Beach Zoo welcomes award-winning children's author, Marianne Berkes, who will be reading from her children's books, Over in the Jungle, Marsh Music, and Over in Australia, at the zoo. Children will also get to meet some of the zoo's furry, feathered, and scaly friends up-close following each reading. Books will be available for purchase and autographing. Palm Beach Zoo ON A ROLL!November 28, 2011
"Animalogy" received three wonderful reviews in November.
Colorado County Life named it as one of the best children's books for the year. Animalogy: Animal Analogies By Marianne Berkes, Illustrated by Cathy Morrison (Sylvan Dell Publishing, $8.95) Young children gravitate toward animal books, so using creatures to teach analogies to young minds is a clever concept. Author Marianne Berkes compares animals’ habits and characteristics in simple sentences to help children recognize sameness and difference, while Colorado illustrator Cathy Morrison uses detailed artwork for visual influence. Included in Animalogy is a special section where children can learn a little more about animals. Animalogy is available at www.sylvandellpublishing.com and online bookstores. San Francisco Book Review posted the following: "Animals galore, vividly portrayed in realistic setting, will catch tht eye of the young reader. The rhyming analogies will end the ear and cause the tongue to laughingly repeat the rhythmic words. Written by a retired teacher and librarian, Marianne Berkes seeks to enhance the children's lexicon, sharpen their comparison skills, and make them aware of animals, their sizes, body parts, behavior and classification. Some of the animals include the tiny ant, the soaring eagle, barking dogs, roraring lions, croaking frogs and many more. One analogy contrasting size juxtaposes on facing pages the observation that"the any is to tiny-- as hippo is to big." The book emphasizes structure by comparing the wing of a robin to the fin of a goldfish, while classification is introduced by labeling the frog as an amphibian while the mooose is a mammal. Large qand colorful, this is a book that is fun to read and look at, while also enriching language skills and observational proficiency. In addition, six pages of learning activities are included at the end of the book. For the beginning reader, this is a fun way to learn." Literary Classics Seal of Approval Animalogy - Animal Analogies, written by Marianne Berkes and illustrated by Cathy Morrison, is an educator's dream when it comes to teaching youngsters about analogies. Vibrant, expressive and beautiful full color images spring to life from the pages of this wonderfully illustrated picture book. Profoundly educational in its simplicity, Animalogy offers many easy-to-comprehend examples of analogies as they relate to animals, such as..."Ant is to tiny, as hippo is to big." In addition, the educational section in the back provides cross-curricular teaching activities, interactive quizzes and more. Animalogy - Animal Analogies, would make an excellent addition to any P-3 teacher's academic library. We highly recommend this book, which has earned our Literary Classics Seal of Approval. May Reading Take You Many Places!November 14, 2011
G'DAY MATES! Come to Australia where most of the animals are unique! From kangaroos and koalas, to wombats and sugar gliders, they are a fascinating bunch. In my picture book "Over in Australia, Amazing Animals Down Under" kids imitate and count the animals, and find hidden ones as well. Like my book "Over in the Arctic," the cut-paper illustrations by Jill Dubin will inspire many an art project.
And, I just learned that "Australia" received another award: the Florida Publishers Association Gold Award for Children's Picture Book. I am so pleased with all the wonderful awards this book has received since it was released in March 2011. •2012 Learning Magazine Teacher’s Choice Award •2011 Florida Publishers Assn. Presidents Award – Gold (Children’s Picture Book) •2011 Skipping Stones Magazine Honor Award •2011 Mom’s Choice Gold Award •2011 Young Voices Foundation Gold Award (Children’s Picture Book Category) •2011 Moonbeam Children’s Book Gold Award (Picture Book – All Ages Category) •2011 Purple Dragonfly Book Award – First Place (Children’s Picture Book) •2011 IBPPG Next Generation Indie Book Award – Finalist •2011 Missouri State Teacher’s Assn. Reading Circle Program Selection To read some of the great reviews, go to www.dawnpub.com. Click onto "reviews and awards." And, "may reading take you many places!" More about "Going Home: The Mystery of Animal Migration"October 30, 2011
ATTENTION: TEACHERS, LIBRARIANS AND PARENTS
Emily Morgan and Karen Ansberry, authors of two terrific NSTA (National Science Teachers Association )publications: "Picture Perfect Science Lessons" and "More Picture Perfect Science Lessons: Using Children's Books to Guide Inquiry" reviewed my book in the summer issue of NSTA's Science and Children. They compiled activities that encourage grades K-4 to "Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate" as they learn more about the mysteries of animal migration. It's downloadable at: http://dawnpub.com/activities/NSTA_GoingHome.pdf In fact, click on "Dawn Publications" below, then onto "Teachers/Librarians" Downloadable Activities, scrolling down to the Migration Book and you will see other activities too, including reproducible bookmarks of the ten migrating animals in the book. Enjoy the journey! Dawn Publications A Great Day!October 16, 2011
Thursday I spent an inspiring day at Westminster Christian School in Miami. It is always such a thrill when I arrive at a school that has really “prepared” for my author visit. Media Specialist, Susan Lewis, welcomed me with a special parking spot, and a light breakfast before entering the school’s warm and inviting media center, where on the walls the talented art teacher had displayed amazing creations about the migrating animals and their incredible journeys in my book "Going Home." What a great way to enhance learning!
I was particularly impressed with all the little hummingbird nests made out of yarn that were attached to real tree branches. Of course Susan had been reading all my books to the children over the past few weeks, and there they were on a table next to a microphone and screen and we were ready to begin. The students and teachers were so responsive and after doing three presentations for Pre-K through Grade 4, I autographed 175 books! It’s so rewarding to know a kid is taking a book home to read again and hopefully again, each time discovering something new and exciting. Creativity certainly flourishes in WCS’s media center where students can celebrate the joy of reading, and learn digital literacy skills too! It was a great day, but the excitement wasn’t over. When I arrived home in the early evening, after a 2-1/2 hour drive, I sat outside on our patio to relax before dinner, and for the first time in all the 12 years my husband and I have lived in Hobe Sound, there on our bottlebrush tree was a little hummingbird whizzing from flower to flower as the sun began to set in a glorious orange sky. Life is indeed a mystery! FRA Annual Conference This Week!September 6, 2011
The Florida Reading Association's Annual Conference is Sept. 8-11 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando. The theme is "Reading...Unlocking Hidden Treasures." How perfect is that since it's National Literacy Month.
I'm lucky to be one of their featured authors and couldn't be more pleased, especially since Going Around the Sun: Some Planetary Fun is one of the eight nominees for the 2011-2012 Children's Book Award. Of course I'll be sharing all my books, including my newest, Animalogy published by Sylvan Dell. (more…) |
With Director of Operations autographing at the Palm Beach Zoo- A Fun Day!
Hummingbird nests with WCS kids and Media Specialist, Susan Lewis
FRA Conference in Orlando 9/2011
Denver County Fair
Illustrator, Jill Dubin at BEA 2011
Autographing at BEA 2007
Marsh Morning. Now in Paperback $6,95
Some 2nd graders with ocean masks they created at Jupiter Farms Elem.
4/16 UCF Book Festival--Children's Authors Berkes, Caffery, Escue and Annino
Booksigning at the Palm Beach Zoo 4/11
NSTA Annual Conference in San Francisco -3/11
At CA Academy of Science in SF -3/11
At the Book Loft on Amelia Island
With fellow panelist, author/illustrator, Frank Remkiewicz at USF,Sarasota
Now available, March 2011
Released March 2010
Page from "Going Home"
Autographing at Barnes & Noble
"Young Authors" Celebration, March 2010
Now available through Lerner as an "E" book!
Reviewed on "Wild About Nature"
All the Pretty Seashells
Braille Program uses "Over in the Ocean, In a Coral Reef"
Charlotte Award Nominee
Nature Writers' Review
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