She’s written more than four dozen children’s books, filled with characters like Willy and Wally Wolf, Hilda Mae Heifer, Gritch the Witch and the mightily mustachioed Moose.
Meet New Jersey’s own Margie Palatini at the Marlboro Public Library on Monday, May 12 at 4:15 p.m. Palatini, author of such books as Piggie Pie!, Hogg, Hogg, & Hog, Bedhead!, Bad Boys, and the tween novel Geek Chic: The Zoey Zone, will read stories, share her experience as a children's author/illustrator and sign books. Call the Library to register for this program at 732-536-9406.
Find out what's happening in Howellwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Palatini, who grew up in Edison, has a very vivid memory of walking into her grade school library for the first time and “being in awe seeing so many books and thinking of all the people who wrote them.”
Find out what's happening in Howellwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
And her memory of a favorite childhood book is equally vivid: When she was in first grade, Palatini had her tonsils out “so my parents bought me the biggest green leather-covered book I had ever seen. The title was stamped in gold and inside it was filled with fairy tales and fables and the most beautiful illustrations. When I touched the pages, the paper felt like satin. It was one of my most special gifts ever.”
Palatini was also “the draw-er” of the family. “I can’t remember ever NOT drawing, coloring, or painting,” she says on her webpage. Her parents had trouble keeping her in paper (which led to an unfortunate artistic incident involving the living room end table and a safety pin.) Palatini has illustrated several of her picture books, including Hogg, Hogg & Hog.
Palatini’s writing truly blossomed after college and after her son Jamie was born. She calls him her number one inspiration and giggle tester, event though he’s now in his 20s. You can find Jamie in Palatini’s popular book Bedhead!, where he is the title character – and the book remains her son’s favorite.
Her passion for books remains undimmed. “Reading opens every door to everyone at every age. It feeds curiosity and passion, and expands not just intelligence, but your soul,” Palatini said.
While Palatini said she loves eBooks for “the convenience and the ability to spontaneously purchase a book, having it at your fingertips anytime you need it, is great,” she added, “However, nothing beats sitting down with a picture book in your hands.”
The next Palatini picture book will be entitled No Nap, Yes Nap, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino and targeted for very young children. She also has a tween illustrated novel, Isabella For Real,due out in 2015. And she is currently writing an action adventure novel with a female protagonist.
Palatini has been recognized for her work by the American Library Association, the NEA, and the New York Public Library. Bedhead! was voted Best Book of theYear by Newsweek magazine.
The Marlboro Library is located at 1 Library Court and Wyncrest Drive, Marlboro 07746. Call the library at 732-536-9406 for more information or click on the Monmouth County Library’s webpage at www.monmouthcountylib.org
