Mary Alice Sutherland

Mary Alice Sutherland is the author and illustrator of "A Hibernating Bear and a Holiday Hare" and "Stories in Verses for the Child You Love." Other books include her translation (under her former name, Mary S. Eigsti) of “After Daguerre," a publication of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Prior to launching her career as an author/illustrator, Mary Alice Sutherland was an administrator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and the University of California Humanities Research Institute. A native of Indiana, she earned her BA at Indiana University, Bloomington, and subsequently spent a postgraduate year on a Fulbright Grant at Strasbourg University, France. She earned her MA at the University of Bristol, England. She made her home in New York City for many years and also resided in Washington, D.C. for a number of years. She currently lives in California.

Sutherland says she was taught all that she knows about children by her child and her grandchild and their friends. In addition to writing and watercoloring, Sutherland enjoys reading, especially history and biography, (most recently, "His Excellency: George Washington" by Joseph J. Ellis and Harlow Giles Unger's "John Marshall"); travel (most recently, Australia, the Grand Canyon); and being with family and friends. She has an abiding interest in languages, linguistics, and nature.

The imaginative stories, rhyming sounds and rhythms of her children's books appeal not only to youngsters but also to "their grownups." Much as animals are at hand in the lives of children, the funny poems and illustrations of Sutherland's books conjure up stuffed animals, household pets, and animals that children may see on visits to zoos or those they may encounter on nature walks. Her writings also give cheerful expression to the joy that children experience at holidays and their zest for seasonal activities. Other topics include funny incidents and interesting situations. Some youngsters may need to have some of the words in Sutherland's books explained to them.

website: maryalicesutherland.com

email: MASSTORIESINVERSES@yahoo.com