Curtis, Marci

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CURTIS, Marci

Personal

Married Rodney Curtis (a photojournalist); children: two daughters. Education: Graduated from University of Michigan.

Addresses

Home— MI. Agent— c/o Author Mail, Dial Press, Dell Publishing, 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. E-mail— guestbook@marcicurtis.com.

Career

Photojournalist and author.

Writings

SELF-ILLUSTRATED WITH PHOTOGRAPHS

Big Sister, Little Sister, Dial Books for Young Readers (New York, NY), 2000.

I Was So Silly!: Big Kids Remember Being Little, Dial Books for Young Readers (New York, NY), 2002.

Big Brother, Little Brother, Dial Books for Young Readers (New York, NY), 2004.

Sidelights

Michigan-based photojournalist and writer Marci Curtis traveled around Europe a great deal while growing up. In addition to developing an appreciation for many cultures, she developed an interest in photography. Encouraged by her father, who set up a makeshift home darkroom for his daughter to experiment with, Curtis eventually wound up working as a photojournalist for her local newspaper. Married to a fellow photographer, she has combined talents for photography and writing in the books Big Sister, Little Sister, I Was So Silly!: Big Kids Remember Being Little, and Big Brother, Little Brother.

With the use of rhyming text and colorful photographs, Curtis captures the many moods experienced by five different pairs of young brothers in Big Brother, Little Brother. The book's subjects reflect a diversity, not only with regard to ethnic background and age, but also in their childhood likes and dislikes. "Curtis's bright, colorfully photographed spreads evoke unforgettable moments" commented reviewer Phyllis M. Simon in School Library Journal. John Peters, reviewing the volume for Booklist, also enjoyed Curtis's work, calling it "a photo-essay bursting with spontaneity and good humor."

I Was So Silly!: Big Kids Remember Being Little captures older children discussing what they remember from when they were younger. Each child is photographed using Curtis's signature technique, and their photographs are accompanied by their revelations about their childhood antics. "Curtis' photographs are what make this book special, capturing ordinary children reflecting on themselves," commented Booklist reviewer Kathy Broderick.

Biographical and Critical Sources

PERIODICALS

Booklist, September 1, 2002, Kathy Broderick, review of I Was So Silly: Big Kids Remember Being Little, p. 134; May 15, 2004, John Peters, review of Big Brother, Little Brother, p. 1624.

Kirkus Reviews, April 15, 2004, review of Big Brother, Little Brother, p. 392.

School Library Journal, June, 2002, Jean Lowery, review of I Was So Silly!, p. 119; July, 2004, Phyllis M. Simon, review of Big Brother, Little Brother, p. 69.