Betty Paraskevas facts for kids

Rita E. "Betty" Paraskevas (April 8, 1929 – April 7, 2010) was a talented American writer and lyricist. She is best known for creating popular children's books and TV shows, especially Maggie and the Ferocious Beast. Her stories often featured fun characters and exciting adventures.

Early Life and Creative Beginnings

Betty Paraskevas was born in New Jersey, U.S. Before she became a famous children's author, she worked for many years in the world of Broadway shows. She was a playwright, which means she wrote plays, and a lyricist, meaning she wrote the words for songs. She even worked with a producer named Harry Rigby on well-known musicals like Sugar Babies and No, No, Nanette. This experience helped her develop her amazing storytelling skills.

Writing for Young Readers

In the mid-1980s, Betty Paraskevas moved to Southampton, New York. It was there that her career took a new and exciting turn. Her son, Michael Paraskevas, was already a successful artist who drew pictures for books. He encouraged his mom to write a story that he could illustrate. This was the start of their wonderful partnership.

Their first book together was On the Edge of the Sea, published in 1992. It was a big success! The next year, they released Junior Kroll, which became the first in a series of books. Betty and Michael worked together to create over 20 books. Their stories were so popular that three of them were even turned into animated television series.

Popular Books and TV Shows

Betty Paraskevas's books, often with her son Michael's illustrations, brought joy to many children. Some of their most famous works include:

• Maggie and the Ferocious Beast: This beloved story about a girl, her best friend (a big, polka-dotted beast), and a pig named Hamilton was adapted into a popular TV show.
• The Kids from Room 402: This book about a group of funny and unique students was also turned into a cartoon series.
• The Tangerine Bear: A heartwarming story about a toy bear, which became a TV special.
• Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse: The adventures of a horse who loves to tap dance, also adapted for television.

Legacy

Betty Paraskevas passed away on April 7, 2010, in Southampton, New York, just one day before her 81st birthday. She left behind a wonderful collection of books and stories that continue to entertain and inspire children around the world. Her creative partnership with her son, Michael, showed how teamwork can lead to amazing things.

List of Works

With Michael Paraskevas, unless otherwise noted

• On the Edge of the Sea (Dial Books, 1992)
• Junior Kroll (HMH Books for Young Readers, 1993)
• Shamlanders (Harcourt Childrens Books, 1993)
• The Strawberry Dog (Dial Books, 1993)
• Junior Kroll and Company (Harcourt Brace & Company, 1994)
• A Very Kroll Christmas (Harcourt Childrens Books, 1994)
• Gracie Graves and the Kids from Room 402 (Harcourt Childrens Books, 1995) — adapted into The Kids from Room 402
• Cecil Bunions and the Midnight Train (Harcourt Childrens Books, 1996)
• The Ferocious Beast with the Polka-Dot Hide (Harcourt Childrens Books, 1996) — adapted into Maggie and the Ferocious Beast
• The Tangerine Bear (Harpercollins Childrens Books, 1997) — adapted into The Tangerine Bear
• Hoppy and Joe (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 1999)
• Maggie and the Ferocious Beast: The Big Scare (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 1999)
• The Big Carrot: A Maggie and the Ferocious Beast Book (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2000)
• On the Day the Tall Ships Sailed (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2000)
• Nibbles O'Hare (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2001)
• Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2001) — adapted into Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse
• The Green Monkeys (Paraskevas Gallery, 2002)