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Photo of Marilyn Helmer

Marilyn Helmer

Author/Performer

137 White Bark Way
RR #1
Belwood, ON
N0B 1J0
Phone: 519 843-2572
Email:
Web: www.marilynhelmer.com

Born: St. John's, Newfoundland
Married, two children

Biography

Marilyn was born in St. John's, Newfoundland, grew up in Montreal and now lives with her family in Burlington, Ontario.

Her writing career began as an offshoot of her interest in antiques. She is an incurable collector, and her first published work was a series of articles which she wrote for CanadiAntiquer Magazine.

When her children were born, Marilyn became interested in children's literature. An avid reader herself, she took great delight in sharing books with her children. She noticed that, while her children listened spellbound to some stories, they yawned their way restlessly through others. And they soon had a list of favorite books which they begged to have read over and over again. Marilyn says that at one time, she knew Green Eggs and Ham by heart! Capturing the interest and attention of young readers is a challenge and it was in this challenge that Marilyn found her true vocation - writing for children.

Marilyn is also an avid storyteller. She enjoys sharing her own original stories as well as traditional folk and fairy tales with audiences of all ages.

Published Works

The Fossil Hunters, Orca Book Publishers, 2009
Sharing Snowy, Orca Book Publishers, 2008
Hare and Turtle Two Pourquoi Tales, Scholastic, 2007
Hickory's Problem, Scholastic, 2007
The North Wind and the Sun an Aesop's Fable, Scholastic, 2007
One Splendid Tree, Kids Can Press, 2005
Three Tales of Adventure, Kids Can Press, 2004
Three Cat and Mouse Tales, Kids Can Press, 2004
Three Royal Tales, Kids Can Press, 2003
Recess Riddles, Kids Can Press, 2004
Funtime Riddles, Kids Can Press, 2004
Spooky Riddles, Kids Can Press, 2003
Yucky Riddles, Kids Can Press, 2003
Dinosaurs on the Beach, Orca Book Publishers, 2003
Three Tuneful Tales, Kids Can Press, 2003
Critter Riddles, Kids Can Press, 2003
Yummy Riddles, Kids Can Press, 2003
Three Tales of Trickery, Kids Can Press, 2002
Three Barnyard Tales, Kids Can Press, 2002
Three Tales of Enchantment, Kids Can Press, 2001
Three Teeny Tiny Tales, Kids Can Press, 2001
Three Tales of Three, Kids Can Press, 2000
Three Prince Charming Tales, Kids Can Press, 2000
Mr. McGratt and the Ornery Cat, Kids Can Press, 1999
Fog Cat, Kids Can Press, 1998
Boathouse Treasure, ITP Nelson, 1998
The Boy, the Dollar and the Wonderful Hat, Stoddart Kids, 1992

Marilyn has had short stories, poetry and articles published in numerous magazines in Canada and the United States including Cricket, Spider, Jack and Jill, Child Life, Children's Digest, Chickadee, Pockets and Hopscotch and in anthologies from Groundwood, Nelson and Scholastic.

Awards

2006 Rotary Club of Hamilton Children's Book Award for One Splendid Tree
2002 CCBC Our Choice List for Three Teeny Tiny Tales
2000 CCBC Our Choice List for Mr. McGratt and the Ornery Cat.
Ontario Library Association's Best Bets for 1999 for Mr. McGratt and the Ornery Cat.
1999 Society of School Librarians International Picture Book Award for Fog Cat.
1998 Toronto I.O.D.E. Book Award for Fog Cat.
1998 Mr. Christie's Book Award, ages 7 and under, for Fog Cat.
1998 Hamilton & Region Arts Council Book Award for Fog Cat.
1999 CCBC Our Choice List 1999-2000 for Fog Cat.
Marilyn has won and been runner-up in several short story contests for both juvenile and adult fiction.

Available For

Author visits and readings: Presentations for K - Grade 6 groups include where writers get their ideas, highlighted with a collection of attention grabbing visuals.