Maribeth Boelts

I remember feeling understood by many of the authors I read as a child, and that's been my hope as a writer...that a child would pick up one of my books and feel as though I "get" them. Their sense of humor. Their fears and insecurities. Their quest for independence, and their need for home to be a safe haven. My favorite authors did just that...Beverly Cleary, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Roald Dahl, Judy Blume and so many others. I'm indebted to all of them!

My recipe for writing a story is relatively simple and remains unchanged over the years...spend time with kids, listen to them, value them and remember who you were as a child. Then experiment with your ideas through a story or poem, and let it sit for a while, so you can re-read it with fresh eyes. If it still rings true, pursue it, but if it doesn't, go back to the beginning and try another idea.

I grew up in Iowa, in a rambunctious family of eight. A tomboy for sure (and still today), I fished the Iowa trout streams with my dad, went night crawler hunting with my brothers, and made forts in the woods. I dreamed of living in a tree, just like the boy in My Side of the Mountain, and I still look for the perfect tree today, truth be told.

Graduating from the University of Northern Iowa with a teaching degree, I became an early childhood teacher, and began writing stories I could share with my young students. Then in 1991, I took the plunge and became a full time writer. Married to my husband, Darwin, we are the parents of three children— Adam, Hannah and Will. We also have a dog named Dixie and a cat named Karmen, both adopted from our local animal shelter. Dixie was the inspiration for my newest book, Before You Were Mine, which tells the story of a young boy who wonders what his dog's life was like before he was adopted as a stray from the shelter.


					The PS Brothers Harcourt Children's Books, 2010 ages 9 to 12, ISBN 978-0547342498 Russell and Shawn call themselves the PS Brothers: P is for poop, S is for scoop, and Brothers is because they’re best friends. Scooping poop is the fastest way to earn money to buy a puppy. They’re sure that once their puppy grows into a tough dog, no one will ever pick on them for being weak or poor again. But Russell and Shawn don’t count on uncovering a dog-fighting ring —and that can bust apart a dream faster than a dog can sniff out a bone. But doing the right thing might still get them what they want—and maybe even more.



					Dogerella illustrated by Donald Wu Random House, 2008 ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0375833939 In this fractured fairy tale, poor Dogerella longs to be the royal pet of Princess Bea...but who would choose a mutt like her? Maybe Princess Bea!



					Before You Were Mine illustrated by David Walker GP Putnam's Sons, 2007 ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-399-24526-8 In this story, a young boys imagines what his dog's life was like before he was adopted from the shelter as a stray. Actor Candice Bergen has a written endorsement on the jacket: "This is a lovely and touching book to encourage people to rescue pets instead of buy."



					Those Shoes illustrated by Noah Z. Jones Candlewick Press, 2007 ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-7636-2499-6 Jeremy wants a pair of "those shoes"—but they cost more money than his grandmother can afford. When he finally gets a pair from a thrift store, he is faced with a real decision.



					Starlight Lullaby illustrated by Marisol Sarrazin Little Simon, 2006 ages 1 to 3, ISBN 978-1-4169-0633-9 Mother animals sing lullabies to their babies. This is a board book for toddlers and includes a push button light up star on each page.



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