Dr. Mira Reisberg began helping other creatives...
...break into the world of children’s books back in the 80s when she started working at Children’s Book Press (now part of Lee and Low) where she helped edit, design and art direct children's books while also making and publishing her own books. She started teaching at San Francisco City College and UC Berkeley and then founded the Picture Book Academy (now the Children’s Book Academy) in 2010. But her love for reading, writing, and creating beautiful art began as a child in Melbourne, Australia.
...break into the world of children’s books back in the 80s when she started working at Children’s Book Press (now part of Lee and Low) where she helped edit, design and art direct children's books while also making and publishing her own books. She started teaching at San Francisco City College and UC Berkeley and then founded the Picture Book Academy (now the Children’s Book Academy) in 2010. But her love for reading, writing, and creating beautiful art began as a child in Melbourne, Australia.
I drew constantly, sometimes using my drawings to make sense of things that were difficult and other times drawing to escape into a beautiful world of my own creation.
After moving to the United States, Mira earned a Masters in Fine Art from Mills College, and later a PhD in Education and Cultural Studies with a focus on children’s literature from Washington State University. She has taught art, illustration, and children’s literature courses at San Francisco City College Ext., UC Berkeley Ext. and in teacher education programs at Washington State University and Northern Illinois University where she realized how interconnected her personal art, writing, children’s picture book art and teaching practices were. In addition to authoring and illustrating her own award-winning books, Mira spent some time as an agent, and an acquiring editor and art director before returning to her love of teaching.
Since leaving academia, Mira has used her skills as a compassionate mentor to help countless students become published authors and illustrators, expanding her offerings to encompass all areas of KidLit.
Since leaving academia, Mira has used her skills as a compassionate mentor to help countless students become published authors and illustrators, expanding her offerings to encompass all areas of KidLit.
Mira’s expertise in all fields of children’s book publishing equips her to guide writers and/or illustrators through all stages of their publishing journey. And then there are the additional experts she brings in to give different professional perspectives while providing personal connections and submission opportunities.