Marika McCoola is an illustrator, educator, and New York Times bestselling author. She studied illustration, art history, creative writing, and ceramics at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland and received her BFA in Illustration in 2009. Marika then went on to study creative writing and children's literature at Simmons College, receiving an MFA in Writing for Children in 2012.
In addition to writing, illustrating, editing, and consulting, Marika works in publishing. She is one of the former owners of Porter Square Books and has taught online for the State University of New York: Empire State College, Skidmore College, and Bard College at the Care Center. She currently resides in Somerville, MA, where she enjoys cooking adventurously, climbing, and bicycling everywhere.
Marika is passionate about effective education, hybrid storytelling mediums, and access to outdoor spaces. She welcomes opportunities to collaborate and enjoys nothing more than a spirited discussion or brainstorming session.
Website: http://www.marikamccoola.com/
SLIP - author
(Algonquin Young Readers, June 2022)
Rights: international.inquiries@workman.com
Right before Jade is about to leave for a summer art intensive, her best friend, Phoebe, attempts suicide. How is Jade supposed to focus on herself right now?
But at the Art Farm, Jade has artistic opportunities she’s been waiting for her whole life. And as she gets to know her classmates, she begins to fall for whimsical, upbeat, comfortable-in-her-own-skin Mary. Jade pours herself into making ceramic monsters that vent her stress and insecurities, but when she puts her creatures in the kiln, something unreal happens: they come to life. And they’re taking a stand: if Jade won’t confront her problems, her problems are going to confront her, including the scariest of them all—if Jade grows, prospers, and even falls in love this summer, is she leaving Phoebe behind?
BABA YAGA'S ASSISTANT - author
(Candlewick, Aug. 2015)
New York Times Bestseller!
2015 NEIBA Book Award winner
2015 Junior Library Guild selection
2016 Eisner Award nominee
Rights: licensing@candlewick.com
France (Editions Kinaye)
Most children think twice before braving a haunted wood filled with terrifying beasties to match wits with a witch, but not Masha. Her beloved grandma taught her many things: that stories are useful, that magic is fickle, that nothing is too difficult or too dirty to clean. The fearsome witch needs an assistant, and Masha needs an adventure. She may be clever enough to enter Baba Yaga’s house, but within its walls, deceit is the rule. To earn her place, Masha must pass a series of tests, outfox a territorial bear, and make dinner for her host. No easy task, with children on the menu!