Margriet Ruurs — Author
Non-fiction
Where We Live, 2022
The Elephant Keeper, 2017
Birthdays Around the World, 2017
School Days Around the World, 2015
Families Around the World, 2014
Biography
Margriet Ruurs lives on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, and is the author of 35 books for children. With a Master of Education degree from Simon Fraser University, she teaches writing workshops at elementary schools across North America. The recipient of the International Reading Association's Presidential Award for Reading and Technology, Margriet conducts author visits, writing workshops and conference presentations from Mongolia to Israel and many places in between. She writes a regular column for Canadian Teacher Magazine and book reviews for the International Educator. Margriet is a popular speaker at reading and literacy conferences. She conducts school visits throughout the school year, sharing her love of reading and writing with thousands of students and teachers in person or via Skype.
“Books truly are a window to the world,” she says. “I learned so much from books when I was a child. And now I love to share stories with children everywhere.” Many of her books have won awards, including the Storytelling World Award Honor and the Moonbeam Children's Book Award. My Librarian Is a Camel was awarded the Teachers’ Choice Award and honored as one of IRA’s Notable Books for a Global Society.
Many of Margriet›s books reflect her interest in global issues and the environment. Together with her park ranger husband, she has lived in many places across North America. She likes to read, travel and hike. Currently she runs Between the Covers, a booklovers’ B & B on Salt Spring Island.
Awards
Birthdays Around the World
2018 - Best Books for Kids & Teens, Canadian Children’s Book Centre, Winner
2018 - Best Children’s Books of the Year, Bank Street College, Winner
The Elephant Keeper
2019 - Just One More Page! Recommendation List, WSRA Children’s Literature Committee, Listed
2019 - Diamond Willow Award, Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice Awards, Finalist
2019 - Silver Birch Express Award, Ontario Library Association, Nominated
2018 - Best Children’s Books of the Year, Bank Street College, Winner
2018 - Teachers’ Choices List, International Literacy Association, Winner
2018 - Best Books for Kids & Teens, Starred Selection, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Winner
2018 - Skipping Stones Honor List, Skipping Stones Magazine, Winner
2018 - Chocolate Lily Award, Short-listed
2017 - Eureka! Gold Award, California Reading Association, Winner
2017 - OLA Best Bets, Ontario Library Association, Winner
Families Around the World
2015 - Best Children’s Books of the Year, Bank Street College, Winner
School Days Around the World
2016 - Rainforest of Reading Award, OneWorld Schoolhouse Foundation, Short-listed
2015 - Best Books for Kids & Teens, Canadian Children’s Book Centre, Winner
Where We Live
2022 - OLA Best Bets (Junior Nonfiction), Ontario Library Association, Commended