Marianne Berkes
Marianne Berkes has spent much of her life with children as a teacher, children’s theater director and children’s librarian. She knows how much children enjoy brilliantly illustrated, interactive picture books with predictable text about real animals. She retired to write full time and visit schools, libraries and literary conferences. Marianne is the author of twenty (and counting!) published picture books for children.
Marianne especially enjoys writing books about animals and nature. She hopes to open kid’s eyes to the magic found in our natural world. Her verse is lyrical, reflecting the fact that music and theater have always been part of her life. Marianne uses music and puppets in her interactive presentations with younger children. Many of her books align to Common Core Standards since they are science, math and art related. She also presents workshops for older students and adults about the writing process and her publishing adventures. Marianne lives near the ocean in Florida, where she still picks up beautiful shells to add to her collection.
Kids Books (1)
Synopsis:
Teachers! This book is like a whole unit on migration wrapped in a winning combination of easy verse, factual language, and beautiful illustrations.
For animals, migration is a powerful compulsion to travel, sometimes over long distances, often skipping many meals. Sometimes, as in the case of the monarch butterfly, a round-trip takes several generations. Why do they do it? How do they succeed? The ten featured species offer a broad representation of migration: loggerhead turtles, monarch butterflies, manatees, ruby-throated hummingbirds, Pacific salmon, Canada geese, California gray whales, caribou, Arctic tern, and emperor penguin.
The book is loaded with additional tips for teachers. Once again Marianne Berkes combines her teaching, writing, and theatrical skills to combine entertainment with education--creative non-fiction at its best.
Reviews
"Teachers especially will welcome this poetic look at animal migration patterns. Ten critters, ranging from Canada geese to caribou and loggerhead turtles, celebrate their “going home” with a rhyme, a small paragraph of information, and a colorful, realistic illustration spreading across facing pages. A large map helps readers follow migratory patterns, and a closing section contains a look at the “mystery” of migration, further data on the creatures in focus, and a handy-dandy passel of suggestions, such as to “Write Your Own Story” about an animal not included in this book.... [T]he book is a pleasant way to tie creative writing and natural history in a simple package." — School Library Journal
"A winning combination of verse, factual language, and beautiful illustrations that describe the mysterious migration patterns of animals from loggerhead turtles to monarch butterflies to ruby-throated hummingbird to caribou. Resources at the end of the book include websites to learn more about the featured animals, and several lesson and activity ideas for educators." — ForeWord Reviews – Teresa Scollon
Educator Information
A poetic, yet factual, book on animal migration patterns that includes a map of migration routes, detailed information on each species mentioned, teaching tips, activities, and a list of books and websites for further study.
Recommended Ages: 4-10
Additional Information
32 pages | 10.50" x 9.00"
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