BERMAN, Ruth 1958-

PERSONAL: Born March 19, 1958, in New York, NY; daughter of Hyman (a historian) and Betty (a librarian; maiden name, Silbering) Berman. Education: University of Minnesota—Minneapolis, B.A., 1986. Hobbies and other interests: Animals, gardening, reading, art-deco collecting, weight lifting.

ADDRESSES: Home—4202 Fireside Circle, Irvine, CA 92604. Offıce—P.O. Box 1748, Brea, CA 92822.

CAREER: Lerner Publications, Minneapolis, MN, began as children's book editor, became senior editor, 1987-95; BowTie Press, Irvine, CA, editor in chief, 1995-2000; freelance children's book writer and editor.

MEMBER: Authors Guild, Authors League of America, National Anti-Vivisection Society.

AWARDS, HONORS: Cited for "outstanding science trade book," American Library Association, and "pick of the list," American Bookseller, both 1992, for American Bison.

WRITINGS:

American Bison, photographs by Cheryl Walsh Bellville, Carolrhoda Books (Minneapolis, MN), 1992.

Sharks, photographs by Jeffrey L. Rotman, Carolrhoda Books (Minneapolis, MN), 1995.

Peacocks, photographs by Richard R. Hewett, Lerner Publications (Minneapolis, MN), 1996.

Ants, photographs by William Muñoz, Lerner Publications (Minneapolis, MN), 1996.

Buzzing Rattlesnakes, photographs by David T. Roberts and David M. Schleser, Lerner Publications (Minneapolis, MN), 1998.

Climbing Tree Frogs, photographs by John Netherton, Lerner Publications (Minneapolis, MN), 1998.

Fishing Bears, photographs by Lynn M. Stone, Lerner Publications (Minneapolis, MN), 1998.

Spinning Spiders, photographs by David T. Roberts and David M. Schleser, Lerner Publications (Minneapolis, MN), 1998.

Squeaking Bats, Lerner Publications (Minneapolis, MN), 1998.

Watchful Wolves, photographs by William Muñoz, Lerner Publications (Minneapolis, MN), 1998.

(Editor) Guys and Dogs, photographs by Laurie Schneider, BowTie Press (Irvine, CA), 1999.

My Pet Dog, photographs by Billy Hustace, Lerner Publications (Minneapolis, MN), 2001.

(Editor and contributor) The Kerlan Awards in Children's Literature, 1975-2001, Pogo Press (St. Paul, MN), 2001.

SIDELIGHTS: The author of several science books for children, Ruth Berman once commented to CA: "I started writing children's science books as a way to instill in children a respect and love for animals and nature. I'm especially interested in pointing out the unique and fascinating qualities of the most misunderstood and least appreciated animals. All my life I've felt a strong empathy for non-human animals. Even as a young child I would go out of my way so as not to step on an ant. I had a hard time finding books about animals that were interesting, informative, and written for my level of reading and understanding. But still I spent hours poring over encyclopedias and other adult books about animals to satisfy my yearning for animal knowledge. Fortunately, children now have many ways to satisfy their curiosity about the natural world."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Appraisal: Science Books for Young People, spring, 1999, review of Climbing Tree Frogs and Spinning Spiders, p. 50; autumn, 1999, review of Buzzing Rattlesnakes, Climbing Tree Frogs, Fishing Bears, Spinning Spiders, Squeaking Bats, and Watchful Wolves, p. 61.

Booklist, August, 1996; February 1, 1999, Carolyn Phelan and Jack Helbig, review of Spinning Spiders and Watchful Wolves, p. 975; March 1, 2002, Sharon Cohen, review of The Kerlan Awards in Children's Literature, 1976-2001, p. 1176.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, December, 2001, review of The Kerlan Awards in Children's Literature, 1975-2001, p. 157.

Horn Book Guide, spring, 1999, review of Buzzing Rattlesnakes, Climbing Tree Frogs, and Spinning Spiders, p. 110; spring, 1999, review of Fishing Bears, Squeaking Bats, and Watchful Wolves, p. 112; spring, 2001, review of My Pet Dog, p. 122.

School Library Journal, October, 1992, p. 124; November, 1995, p. 109; May, 1996, p. 102; January, 1999, Arwen Marshall, review of Buzzing Rattlesnakes, Fishing Bears, Squeaking Bats, and Watchful Wolves, p. 110; June, 1999, Lisa Wu Stowe, review of Climbing Tree Frogs and Spinning Spiders, p. 111.

Science Books and Films, October, 1992, p. 209; November, 1993, p. 251.*