Bio:

Merrily Kutner

Resume/Biography

Originally she studied dental hygiene, receiving her B.S. degree from Columbia University in New York City. Later, she moved to California. After her son was born she began creating stories to entertain him.

She joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, took writing courses and seminars and formed a writer’s critique group. In 2000, she attended the Highlight’s Foundation Writer’s Workshop in Chautauqua, New York. An attendee of The Institute of Children’s Literature Training Program, she was accepted as an instructor. She has served as an Advisory Board Member to develop the California State University Fullerton Extended Education Writing for Children Curriculum. Currently, she teaches an online course: Writing and Structuring Picture Books for Children given through the UCLA Extension Writing Program.

A long time member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, she gives workshops on Writing in Rhyme and Book Diagramming at author’s retreats; and she was a first reader for the Barbara Karlin Grants given through the Society.

A “cookie mom” at a half-way house for children she has shared her love of picture books. She has also participated in Lullalee’s Production’s Literacy Car-ni-fair for the Shriner’s Hospital. Recently, she participated in the Reach Out and Read Aloud program.
A member of the Children’s Literature Council of Southern California, she attends numerous author festivals and school visits throughout the Los Angeles and Orange County School Districts where she reads her books. She also writes screenplays with her son.


PUBLISHED WORKS
Z IS FOR ZOMBIE, ill. John Manders, Albert Whitman & Company, 1999
ISBN#0-8075-9490-3

DOWN ON THE FARM, ill. Will Hillenbrand, Holiday House, 2004
ISBN#0-8234-1721-2 (hardcover)
ISBN#0-8234-1985-1 (paperback)
ISBN#0-439-85319-2 (paperback/CD through Scholastic school market)
ISBN#-13:978-0-8234-2177-0 (board book)
Forthcoming in Harcourt Big Book/Little Book Series in English/Spanish, 2009

ZOMBIE NITE CAFÉ, ill. Ethan Long, Holiday House, 2007
ISBN#10:0-8234-1963-0 (hardcover)
ISBN#13:978-0-8234-1963

ALPHABET MAGIC, ill. Coleman Pohlemus, Roaring Brook Press/Neal Porter Books forthcoming fall 2012.

AWARDS

IRA/CBC Children’s Choice Award Book for the 2000 List
Z IS FOR ZOMBIE

Texas Library Association’s 2005 Texas 2 x 2 Reading List Book
DOWN ON THE FARM

Please Touch Museum Picture Book of the Year 2005 (3 years and under Category)
DOWN ON THE FARM

Moonbeam Children’s Picture Book of the Year 2007 Award (Holiday Category)
ZOMBIE NITE CAFE


ADDITIONAL CREDITS

IMdb (International Movie data base) www.imdb.com

Screenwriting—FLASH CLICK, 2008
Set decorating—FLASH CLICK, 2008
Screenwriting--Devil's Land, 2009

Writer
PAL
Member since 1988
Region: California: Orange County/Long Beach/Riverside/San Bernardino

Contact Information

Current Location:   Anaheim Hills

Published In Children's Market: Yes
Available for Speaking Engagements? Yes