Marjorie van Heerden facts for kids

Marjorie Hope van Heerden (born October 8, 1949) is a talented South African writer and illustrator of books for children. She has created many picture books since her first one came out in 1983. Her work has been published in 33 languages across Africa, Europe, Asia, Canada, and the USA.

About Marjorie van Heerden

Marjorie van Heerden was born in De Doorns, South Africa. She grew up on a farm where table grapes were grown. This farm was near Cape Town in the Hex River Valley.

She finished high school in 1967 at Rustenburg School for Girls. After that, she studied Fine Art at Stellenbosch University. She also attended the Michaelis School of Fine Art at the University of Cape Town.

In 1973, Marjorie married Johann van Heerden. They have two children together. She is very involved in the world of children's books.

Helping Other Writers and Illustrators

In 2003, van Heerden started the South African part of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). This is a big international group based in Los Angeles.

She also helped start the SCBWI group in Greece in 2000. Today, she helps lead the South African chapter. This group supports people who write and illustrate books for kids.

Awards and Special Recognition

Marjorie van Heerden has won several important awards for her work. These awards celebrate her skills as both a writer and an illustrator.

In 2011, she won the W.B. Mkhize Award. This award was for the Zulu version of her picture book, Lulama’s long way home. She wrote and illustrated this book herself.

M.E.R. Award Winner

Marjorie van Heerden and author Alex D'Angelo won the M.E.R. Award in 2012. This award is given for the best-illustrated children’s book in South Africa. They won for their book Goblin Diaries: Apprenticed to the Red Witch.

This was not her first time winning the M.E.R. Award. She also won it in 2008 with author Wendy Hartmann. That award was for their book Nina and Little Duck, published in 2007.

Children's Books by Marjorie van Heerden

Marjorie van Heerden has created many wonderful books for children. She has worked as both a writer and an illustrator. Sometimes, she does both for the same book.

As Writer and Illustrator

Here are some of the books she wrote and illustrated:

• Lulama’s Long Way Home, 2007 (also in Portuguese and 11 South African languages).
• The Authentic, Unusual, Alarming, Actual, Factual, Story Book, 2006.
• The Adventures of Phepa and Itumelang, 2006.
• Monde’s Present (second edition), 2005 (in 11 South African languages).
• Goodnight, Grandpa, 1990.
• A Monster in the garden, 1987.
• A tiger took me to the circus, 1986.

As Illustrator Only

Marjorie van Heerden has also illustrated many books written by other authors:

• Jim Henry, The Adventures of Willy Nilly and Thumper: Book Four– Charlie, the Cross-Eyed Crocodile, 2017.
• Jim Henry, The Adventures of Willy Nilly and Thumper: Book One - The Lost Treasure of Mount Methuselah, 2016.
• Leon Rousseau, StorieMuis Omnibus (Book 1 and 2), 2015.
• Dianne Steward, Folktales from Africa (second edition), 2015.
• Sunita Lad Bhamray, Grandma Lim’s Persimmons, 2013.
• Alex D’Angelo, Goblin Diaries: Apprenticed to the Red Witch, 2011.
• Desmond Tutu, Children of God - Storybook Bible (she was one of 20 illustrators), 2010.
• Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Afrikaans translation), 2010.
• Wendy Hartmann, Nina and Little Duck, 2007.
• Raffaelle Delle Donne, San Tales from Africa, 2007.
• Nick Paul, Uncle James and the Delicious Monster, 2005.
• Louise Smit, Professor Fossilus en die Dinosourusse (Afrikaans), 2004.
• Katherine Paterson, The King’s Equal (Greek translation), 2001.
• Thomas A. Nevin, The Zebra and the Baboon (translated into many African languages), 1996.
• Brenda Kali, The Story of Buddha, 1994.
• Lesley Beake, Harry went to Paris, 1989.

Educational Books for Kids

Marjorie van Heerden has also worked on many educational books. These books help children learn while they read.

Writing and Illustrating Educational Books

Some educational books she wrote and illustrated include:

• Cave, 1998.
• The authentic, true-to-life, unusual, alarming, actual, factual book, 1998.
• The Summer Book, The Autumn Book, The Winter Book, The Spring Book (Grade Two series), 1998.
• Frog, 1998.
• Baobab, 1998.
• The Cat Book, The Snake Book, The Goat Book, The Monkey Book, The Zebra Book, The Dog Book, The Mouse Book, The Owl Book, The Rabbit Book, The Donkey Book, The Chicken Book (Grade One series), 1997.

Illustrating Educational Books

She has also illustrated educational books for other authors:

• Mark Patrick, Today my doctor told me, 2009.
• Nicole Levin, The Jungle Box, 2008.
• Blessing Musariri, Secret of Rukodzi Mountain, 2008.
• Margaret Mckenzie, Saving the Planet – 10 things you should know, 2008.
• Wendy Flanagan, I am HIV Positive, 2004.
• Kathy Luckett, Sylve Sandalls & Nombulelo Sikhosana, Does your father snore?, 1999.
• Chris Wildman & Fatima Dike, Look what I can do, 1998.
• Sue Guthrie, Mkulu and the Spider, 1996.
• Philip de Vos, Sproete en Snoete (Afrikaans), 1994.