Marybeth Lorbiecki

The majority of Marybeth Lorbiecki’s books are award-winners, and she was Wisconsin Children's Book Author of the Year 2008, selected by the Wisconsin Library Association. With more than twenty titles, Marybeth brings to her writing her experiences as a children’s book editor, mom, teacher, marketing copywriter, journalist, youth worker, international Rotarian ambassador, graduate student in literature, and post graduate student in philosophy. (Someday she’ll find a way to work in something about being a lens grinder, factory worker, bakery clerk, waitress, park landscape assistant, museum receptionist, etc.) Her themes often center on people's relationships—to each other and to the land.

Many of her books bring history alive for younger readers, tackling difficult topics: racism, guns, war, environmental challenges—yet they have a lighter side and a drama that allow younger readers to look at these issues with hope and courage.

She has a compatriot in the arts in her husband, David Mataya—a designer, artist, and musician. They have three great kids—Nadja, Mirjana, and Dmitri. They live in Hudson, Wisconsin, where they enjoy the nearby rivers and woods.




					Paul Bunyan's Sweetheart illustrated by Renee Graef Sleeping Bear Press, 2007 ISBN 978-1-58536-289-9 That giant of a lumberjack, Paul Bunyan, has finally met his match in the tall and lovely Lucette Diana Kensack of Hackensack. But can Paul win her love? She gives him three tasks to see if he is worthy—Paul does his best, to comical results. Will she take him? Here's a sneak peek at Renee Graef's wonderful art!


					Awards Bank Street College's Best Children's Books of the Year List 2008



					Jackie's Bat illustrated by J. Brian Pinkney Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2006 ages 4 and up, ISBN 978-0-689-84102-6 Joey is the Brooklyn Dodger's bat boy. It's his first season, and he finds out that it’s Jackie Robinson's first season too. Joey doesn't want to serve a black man, but what Joey learns in this exciting baseball season of 1947 he'll remember all his life. Approved by Rachel Robinson, Jackie’s widow. Read reviews ... Awards Storytellers World Award for 2006; Manhattan Country School "Living the Dream" Award 2008



					Planet Patrol: a Kids' Action Guide to Earth Care Two-Can Children's Publishing, 2005 hardcover ISBN 978-1-58728-514-1 paperback ISBN 978-1-58728-518-9 This guide combines ecological concepts with fun facts, examples of what kids are doing worldwide, and action tips. Illustrated with cartoons and photos. Read reviews ...



					Aldo Leopold: a Fierce Green Fire Illustrated with historic photos Globe Pequot, 2005 ISBN 978-0-7627-3663-8 Hardcover edition, Falcon Press, 1996 ISBN 978-1-56044-478-7 This photo-illustrated biography, perfect for young adult readers, tells the history of American conservation, wilderness movement, wildlife management, and ecology while recounting the life story of the famous national and international conservationist and writer Aldo Leopold. Leopold started the academic field of wildlife management and ecology and created the first American wilderness area. He started his life as a forester out West at the turn of the century and pioneered an American land ethic in his classic book: A Sand County Almanac. Awards Minnesota Book Award 1996: Biography and History; Distinguished Service to History Award, State Historical Society of Wisconsin



					John Muir & Stickeen: an Icy Adventure with a No-Good Dog co-authored with Julie Dunlap illustrated by Bill Farnsworth NorthWord Press, 2004 ages 4 and up, ISBN 978-1-55971-903-2 The famous nature-lover John Muir loves glaciers but he doesn't like pets—then he ends up on an Alaskan adventure with a mutt named Stickeen. Stickeen proves to be even more stubborn than Muir! Will they both make it back to camp alive? This story is based on first-hand accounts, with quotations from Muir’s journals sprinkled throughout. Awards The Teachers Choice Award 2005 from Learners Magazine



					Prairie Dogs illustrated by Wayne Ford NorthWord Press, 2004 ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-1-55971-883-7 Learn about these fascinating, town-building burrowers of the prairies.



					Louisa May and Mr. Thoreau's Flute coauthored with Julie Dunlap illustrated by Mary Azarian Dial Books for Young Readers, Penguin Putnam, 2002 ages 5 and up, ISBN 978-0-8037-2470-9 Young Louisa May Alcott is so wild a child her parents don't know what to do. Her father tries to use writing to help tame her spirit. But Louy seems to make more ink blots than words. Then she begins going on field trips with other neighborhood children guided by her sister's teacher, Henry David Thoreau. In the woods and on the river, Louisa learns from Mr. Thoreau about the magic in nature and the enchantment of words, especially one's own. In the end, she writes her first poem. A book for lovers of writing and lovers of nature. Awards Parents Choice Award 2002; Adult /Children's Bestsellers' List, Boston Globe, Junior Literary Guild



					Stories from Where We Live: The Great North American Prairie Anthology edited by Sara St. Antoine illustrated by Trudy Nicholson Milkweed Editions, 2001 ages 9 and up, ISBN 978-1-57131-630-1 This award-winning series helps kids (and adults) connect with the bio region they live in through stories, poems, memoirs, letters, and essays written about the area. Each title serves as an excellent sourcebook for combining natural history and imagination in developing intimacy with a place. The prairie title includes works by greats, such as Cather, Sandberg, Erdrich, Least Heat Moon, and others, as well as Lorbiecki's essay "Prairie Spirits on the Wing." It tells the story of Lorbiecki's relationship with her kindred spirit bird, the meadowlark. Awards The series has been the ABA Kids' Pick of the Lists and Notable Social Studies Trade Books



					Painting the Dakota: Seth Eastman at Fort Snelling illustrated with paintings by Seth Eastman Afton Historical Society Press, 2000 ages 9 and up, ISBN 978-1-890434-32-8 Seth Eastman came to the Minnesota Territory as an army officer in the 1830s and again in the 1840s, while the lands still belonged to the eastern Dakota or Santee Sioux. With the eye of an artist, Eastman captured the beauty and details of their everyday lives. The middle section of the book moves through the Dakota seasons of the year illustrated by Eastman's eyewitness paintings. Awards Best of Show, Midwest Independent Publisher Assoc.; Benjamin Franklin Award, Publishers Marketing Assoc.; Independent Publishers Book Award



					Sister Anne's Hands illustrated by K. Wendy Popp ages 4 and up Dial Books (Penguin Putnam) 1998 ISBN 978-0-8037-2038-1 soft-cover edition, Puffin Books (Penguin Putnam), 2000 ISBN 978-0-14-056534-8 Sister Anne, an inspiring and fun second grade teacher, faces racism as an African American in her Midwest classroom. The story of how she turns the situation around is told through the eyes of one of her white students who is transformed by the experience. Awards Storyteller World's Award 1999; International Reading Association Best Books of the Year 1999 (starred); Bank Street College Children's Book of the Year; New York Public Library Notable Trade Book for Young People 1999 in Social Studies, in Literary Arts; Living the Dream Award 2000, Manhattan Country School.



					Children of Vietnam photographs by Paul Rome Carolrhoda (Lerner Publications), 1997 ages 8 and up, ISBN 978-1-57505-034-8 This photo essay focuses on contemporary children around the country of Vietnam. The book travels from north to south, covering history, culture, natural history, and day-to-day life. Awards 1998 Notable Trade Book for Young People in Social Studies



					My Palace of Leaves in Sarajevo illustrated by Herbert Tauss, Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin Putnam), 1997 ages 8 to 12, ISBN 978-0-8037-2033-6 (presently out of print) Nadja, a nine-year-old girl who lives in Sarajevo during the Bosnian war, tells her story through letters to a distant cousin in Minnesota. Sensitively shows the horrors and hopes of people living in a war zone. Awards 1998 Children's Literature Choice List; Japanese rights sold



					Just One Flick of a Finger illustrated by David Diaz Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin Putnam), 1996 ages 7 and up, ISBN 978-0-8037-1949-1 (presently out of print) A boy who is bullied brings a gun to school to protect himself and finds the situation turns bad—told in a rap ballad style. Awards 1997 Children's Choice; 1996 Pick of the Lists by American Library Association, the New York Public Library, and The Chicago Tribune



					Of Things Natural, Wild, and Free: The Story of Aldo Leopold illustrated by Kerry Maguire Carolrhoda (Lerner Publications), 1993 ages 8 to 12, ISBN 978-0-87614-797-9 A children's biography of the internationally renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold. Awards 1993 John Burroughs Nature Book; Distinguished Service to History Award, State Historical Society of Wisconsin





					Circles (Shapes) illustrated by Sharon Lane Holm Abdo & Daughters, 2007 ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-1602700437 The Shapes illustrated nonfiction books provide the first lessons on common shapes. Rhyming text and creative illustrations draw attention to circles are found in the world around us.



					Triangles (Shapes) illustrated by Sharon Lane Holm Abdo & Daughters, 2007 ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-1602700482 The Shapes illustrated nonfiction books provide the first lessons on common shapes. Rhyming text and creative illustrations draw attention to where triangles are found in the world around us.



					Triceratops (North American Dinosaurs) Rourke Publishing, 2007 ages 9 to 12, ISBN 978-1600442537



					Welcome to Grand Teton National Park (Visitor Guides) Child's World, 2006 ages 9 to 12, ISBN 978-1592966981



			Friends O'Mania: A Teen's Guide to Making Friends Jitters: A Story about Making Friends Friendship Frenzy and Other Fun Poems I'm Somebody, Who Are You? A Social Game for Making New Friends You're There: A Teen's Guide to Going Places On My Way, Today: A Story about Making Friends On the Move GROOVE and Other Fun Poems Mystery Explorers: A Social Game for Finding Your Way Designed by David Bradley; photographs by Jim Gallop That's Life Literature Series; AbleNet Inc., 2004 This groundbreaking new soft-cover series is targeted for secondary special-education students. The books feature vibrant low-level text and sidebars with skill concepts and photographs of high school students of different abilities. Each title comes in a themed sets (of four books a piece) aimed at developing life skills. The text and design are so lively, colorful, and contemporary that the books can also be used with students in junior high and elementary grades.