Marjorie van Heerden facts for kids

Marjorie Hope van Heerden, born on October 8, 1949, is a talented South African writer and illustrator of children’s books. Since her first children’s picture book came out in 1983, Marjorie’s work has been published in 33 different languages! Her books are enjoyed by kids in Africa, Britain, Europe, Asia, Canada, and the USA.

About Marjorie van Heerden

Marjorie grew up on a farm where they grew table grapes. This farm was in a beautiful valley near Cape Town in South Africa. After finishing school in 1967, she went on to study Fine Art at Stellenbosch University. She also studied at the Michaelis School of Fine Art at the University of Cape Town.

In 1973, she married Johann van Heerden, and they have two children. Marjorie loves helping other people who want to write or illustrate children's books. In 2003, she helped start the South African group of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). This is a big international organization that supports people who create books for kids. She even helped start a SCBWI group in Greece in 2000!

Awards for Her Books

Marjorie van Heerden has won several important awards for her amazing work.

W.B. Mkhize Award

In 2011, Marjorie won the W.B. Mkhize Award. This award is given every year by the Usiba Writers’ Guild. She won it for the Zulu version of her picture book, Lulama’s long way home. Marjorie wrote and illustrated this book herself!

M.E.R. Award for Illustration

Marjorie has won the M.E.R. Award twice! This award is given for the best-illustrated children’s book published in South Africa.

• In 2012, she won with author Alex D'Angelo for their book Goblin Diaries: Apprenticed to the Red Witch.
• Before that, in 2008, she won with author Wendy Hartmann for Nina and Little Duck.

Books by Marjorie van Heerden

Marjorie has created many wonderful books for children, both as a writer and an illustrator.

Books She Wrote and Illustrated

• Lulama’s Long Way Home, 2007 (also in Portuguese and all 11 official South African languages)
• The Authentic, Unusual, Alarming, Actual, Factual, Story Book, 2006
• The Adventures of Phepa and Itumelang, 2006
• Monde’s Present, 1997 (reworked in 2005 and published in all 11 official South African languages)
• Lana’s long way home, 1993
• A new bed for Alexia, 1992
• Goodnight, Grandpa, 1990
• Looking for a friend, 1988
• A Monster in the garden, 1987
• Old enough, 1987
• Father Christmas needs help, 1987
• A tiger took me to the circus, 1986

Books She Illustrated for Other Authors

• Jim Henry, The Adventures of Willy Nilly and Thumper series (Books 1-4), 2016-2017
• Leon Rousseau, StorieMuis books, 2015-2016
• Dianne Steward, Folktales from Africa, 2015
• Sunita Lad Bhamray, Grandma Lim’s Persimmons, 2013
• Kathleen Ahrens and Chu-Ren Huang, Ears Hear and Numbers Do (English and Chinese), 2012
• Ingrid Vander Veken, Sam: ’n Ware verhaal van ’n dogtertjie en haar olifant, 2012
• 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
• C.J. Langenhoven, Kootjie Totjie, 2009
• Wendy Hartmann, Nina and Little Duck, 2007
• Nick Paul, Uncle James and the Delicious Monster, 2005
• Wynand Louw, Mr Humperdinck’s Wonderful Whatsit, 2004
• Louise Smit, Professor Fossilus en die Dinosourusse, 2004
• Katherine Paterson, The King’s Equal (Greek translation), 2001
• Vangelis Eliopoulos, The Three Teapots (in Greek), 2000
• Ann Taylor, Baby Dance, 1999
• Thomas A. Nevin, The Zebra and the Baboon, 1996
• Thomas A. Nevin, The Mantis, the Girl and the Flowers of Namakwaland, 1995
• Brenda Kali, The Story of Buddha, 1994
• Lesley Beake, Harry went to Paris, 1989
• Jenny Seed, Katie in die Goudvallei, 1983

Educational Books for Kids

Marjorie has also created many books that help children learn.

Educational Books She Wrote and Illustrated

• Cave, 1998
• The authentic, true-to-life, unusual, alarming, actual, factual book (Bright Books Reader & Activity Book), 1998
• The Summer Book, The Autumn Book, The Winter Book, The Spring Book (Bright Books, 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 (Bright Books, Grade One series), 1997
• 21 low-cost picture books for the Ntataise Trust, SA, 1994

Educational Books She Illustrated for Others

• 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
• Nola Turkington, Alone with Jackals, 2007
• Maggie Bizzell, What Was That?, 2005
• Di Steward, The Monkeys in the Trees, 2005
• Wendy Flanagan, I am HIV Positive, 2004
• Beata Kasale, Treasure in the Garden, 2001
• Kathy Luckett, Sylve Sandalls & Nombulelo Sikhosana, Does your father snore?, 1999
• Afari Assan, Adefe and the Old Chief, 1999
• Chris Wildman & Fatima Dike, Look what I can do, 1998
• Sue Guthrie, Mkulu and the Spider, 1996
• Ray Leitch, Nomathemba’s Fire, 1996
• Various authors, Thuli’s Mattress, 1996
• Sarah Murray & Rod Ellis, The old Man and his Hat, 1995
• Philip de Vos, Sproete en Snoete, Giere en Grille, Warrelwind se Kind (Afrikaans), 1994
• Marjorie van Heerden et al., Baba’s Plan, 1990