Mara Bergman

As a child

I grew up in the suburbs of New York City, in the town of Wantagh, which is always mistaken for Montauk, at the other end of Long Island. Wantagh is known as the Gateway to Jones Beach, and Jones Beach – along with New York City – has always one of my favourite places. As a young child I enjoyed writing short plays, which my sister and I would perform for our long-suffering babysitter. At the age of twelve I read a biography of Charlotte Bronte and decided I wanted to become a writer. It was around then that I started writing lots of poems. I also enjoyed drawing and painting and making things, like puppets and dioramas. I played lots of sports, though I wasn’t very good at them, and had a great group of friends.

As an adult

I graduated from the State University of New York at Oneonta, but spent my third year studying at Goldsmith’s College, London. On arrival I immediately fell in love with England. For many years I bounced between London and New York, which got to be really quite confusing, and finally settled in England in 1983. I still haven’t lost my accent though, and often people ask me how long I’m here for. I started writing for children when my own three children were growing up and I was immersed in children’s books, both at home and at work. I have been an editor at Walker Books for a very long time – since 1984. I’m part of the furniture really.

As an artist

I write picture books and fiction for young children, and I still write poetry too. I really enjoyed working on my first fiction titles for Walker Books – Nick Mack’s Good Luck and Sylvie’s Seahorse. I’m always finding four-leaf clovers and I’ve always loved seahorses. My picture books include Snip Snap!, Glitter Kitty, Oliver Who Would Not Sleep, Oliver Who Was Small but Mighty and Yum, Yum! It’s a real thrill for me to see my words come to life through illustration. I’m a fairly restless sort of person and I write best when I’m on the move – especially on trains – even though I’m fortunate enough to have my own study (which is always very messy!).

Things you didn't know about Mara Bergman

1. I can’t sing and I’ve always wished I could, especially as…
2. my secret ambition is to be a back-up singer – or a stand-up comic
3. I once rode 100 miles on my bicycle in one day and couldn’t sit down for a week
4. I know all the words to the songs of Mary Poppins
5. I once taught my turtle to climb stairs
6. I also taught my budgie to say “Hello, baby”
7. My favourite food is aubergine
8. I also love chocolate, especially Hershey’s Hugs
9. I find lots of four-leaf clovers
10. And I was born on 29th February, which means I have a birthday only once in four years!