Marcia Schonberg

Marcia Schonberg: Children’s Book Author

Marcia Schonberg presents original stories, poems, riddles and even a new Ohio pledge in The Ohio Reader. Written in the style of an old-fashioned reader, the charming text and beautiful illustrations engage readers of all ages, especially those between five and ten years of age.

She takes readers around the world introducing them to inventions in I is for Idea: An Inventions Alphabet. In it she shares innovative concepts that influence the way we live. Like the author, some of the inventions have their roots in Ohio.

As an Ohio native and an award-winning journalist and photographer, she’s uncovered Ohio’s most unique attributes in B is for Buckeye: An Ohio Alphabet, published by Sleeping Bear Press. In it she shares Ohio facts and legends with youngsters from preschool through fourth grade, while adding a few facts even die-hard Buckeyes might not know.

Another title from Sleeping Bear Press, Cardinal Numbers: An Ohio Counting Book, captures additional facts and numbers about the Buckeye State. Like B is for Buckeye, it’s a colorfully illustrated and richly informative non-fiction picture book.

Ohio Plants and Animals, Ohio History, Uniquely Ohio, Ohio Native American Peoples, People of Ohio, and All Around Ohio: Regions and Resources, comprise the six-book Heinemann State Studies series she wrote for Heinemann Library. She wrote a similar series about Michigan, released 2004.

In addition to collecting data for her next children's book, traveling and writing travel-related articles, the former art teacher’s on the road visiting elementary schools throughout the country.

"I'm planning creative and inventive multi-media presentations and hands-on programs that coordinate with topics in the inventions book. Additionally, I share my love of writing and art."

"With many schools using B is for Buckeye and my other books in social studies, math, and in preparation for Ohio proficiency testing, it seems only natural to get back in the classroom to share some favorite topics—namely those I selected to represent Ohio from A to Z and the numbers in Cardinal Numbers." She explains, "I love taking students on a whirlwind visual tour through Ohio and the alphabet— into some of the presidential homes and even into the Governor's Mansion—before getting into the nitty-gritty of how to become a better writer."

Through the years Schonberg has stayed connected to education, not only through writing about kids and destinations geared toward children and families, but by teaching art, pre-school and kindergarten, tutoring in both primary and secondary grades and collecting children's literature. “And I have three children and two grandsons. My grandchildren reap a few benefits from my research. I take them along whenever it's appropriate and our schedules mesh. They're my ‘cub reporters.’ I call upon their assistance as I develop new projects and topics for my young audiences. And my kindergartener helps with interactive lessons geared for emergent readers and youngest listeners."

Photography is her medium of choice, but during her presentations Schonberg sometimes includes an art lesson in her multi-disciplinary approach in teaching about Ohio. She adds her enthusiasm toward her profession as she discusses her passion for research, writing and visual expression with students and educators. During teacher workshops, she offers more art projects and exciting ideas about teaching non-fiction and including picture books.

Marcia Schonberg: Travel and Features Journalist

Schonberg, the author of Ohio Travel Smart and Quick Escapes: Cleveland, travels far beyond her home state for travel and feature stories published in regional and national newspapers and magazines. She contibutes articles in daily newspapers including the Columbus Dispatch and the Medina Gazette, and to regional magazines like Home & Away, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles and Ohio Magazine. Her work appears in national publications including AmericanProfile Magazine, Scientific American Explorations and Continental, the inflight publication for Continental Airlines and on the Internet at SeniorWomen.com.

She is an active member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, The Ohioana Library Association, The Authors' Guild, Inc. and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

She worked with the Ohio Historical Society on special projects, including Marking Ohio’s History, a publication jointly sponsored by the Ohio Historical Society, the Ohio Bicentennial Commission and the Ohio Council of Social Studies and distributed to elementary school libraries throughout Ohio and available at Ohio Historical Society sites.

Schonberg was born and raised in Canton, Ohio, graduated from Ohio State University and lives in the Buckeye State and the Sunshine State - Naples, Florida.