Deborah Marcero: Author and Illustrator
Take a look at three picture books. Each is a little gem filled with creative storytelling, endearing characters, and inventive design. Deborah Marcero is the author of two and the illustrator for all three. And here’s the amazing thing: all have been published within the past eighteen months. That's one prolific artist! Let’s take a peek inside these enticing covers.
Ursa's Light by Deborah Marcero
 "There were all the other bears... and then, there was Ursa." | Ursa's Light, written and illustrated by Marcero, introduces readers to a charming little bear aptly named Ursa. From the beginning the double play on words is readily apparent. While her classmates are busily engaged in playground amusements, Ursa is fixated on the heavens above. She has a dream: she wants to fly. Not one to be deterred, she observes, calculates, tries, fails, refuses to accept to defeat, and tries again and again. There must be a way to realize her dream. Eventually she finds a way. Not in the manner she initially envisioned. But she finds a way. |  The pages are chock full of details: Ursa's eyes always seem to be looking up; inserts of pages from Ursa's notebook; a brother named Orion; and a shirt emblazoned with the message "Live Delibearately." The color pallet is bold, with plenty of black punctuated with strong shades of rust and gold. It fits Ursa perfectly. |
Rosie and Crayon by Deborah Marcero
 "Rosie's tears reflected all the colors that filled her world." | Meet Rosie and her beloved puppy Crayon. Once again Marcero has selected an appropriate name. This pet colors Rosie's days, making each one vibrant. Initial pages feature colors that reflect Rosie's relationship with the pup, "tickled greens and fluttering yellows." One day Crayon is gone. Text does not specifically mention death, but it is implied. Color leaves Rosie's world. With a tear-stained face, she puts away her crayons and the dog's collar. Eventually she sets aside her grief and helps locate a lost kitten. Color returns to her life in the form of friendship with the missing kitten and its owner. A tender story of grief and healing. |  Rosie and Crayon effectively employs color to convey emotion. Layout design is equally important to the story. Life with Crayon is busy, filled with a plethora of details. When Rosie is bereft, there are vast amounts of empty space on the page. Observant readers will discover charming little details: R+C carved into a tree and letters for the title page formed from crayons. |
Twinderella: A Fractioned Fairy Tale
by Corey Rosen Schwartz illustrated by Deborah Marcero
 "Gadzooks, I must be dreaming!" | Who knew that Cinderella could become a foray into the world of fractions? Corey Rosen Schwartz knew. Twinderella: A Fractioned Fairy Tale is delightful little riff on the traditional story featuring not one, but two mistreated sisters: Cinderella and Tinderella. Chores are divided in half. They appear to share everything, from supper to a bed. But they do not share the same dream. Will their fairy godmom be able to extricate the girls from their life of servitude and grant each girl the wish of her heart? Will there be not one, but two "happily ever afters?" Well, this is a fairy tale, so some extraordinary magic on the part of this godmom makes it happen. Schwartz tells this fractioned tale in clever couplets. Double good. Double fun. |  End papers feature halves of sandwiches and oranges as well as pairs of shoes and gloves. Marcero ups the fantasy element with vibrant colors, including the sisters' bright red hair. Handsome Prince Charming has some serious moves and dances the night away with both girls. Not to be outdone, Tinderella dips Charming, proving these girls can "dance with the stars." |
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