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Who is MRM?

Dr. Margaret Read MacDonald

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  • ​Workshops, school visits, and festivals in: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico; Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Swaziland; Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia; Austria, Belgium, Germany, Czechoslovakia, France, Hungary, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Poland, Republic of Georgia, Spain, Switzerland; Brunei, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia (including Borneo), Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand; Australia, New Zealand, US and Canada.

  • Ph.D. Folklore, Indiana University; Master of Educational Communications, University of Hawaii; Master of Library Science, University of Washington.

  • Has taught storytelling at the University of Washington Information School and Lesley University.

  • Children's Librarian since 1965: San Francisco Public; Hawaii State Library Bookmobile; Singapore American School; Fairfield Methodist Girl's School, Singapore; Mountain-Valley Library System (Children's Consultant); Montgomery County Maryland; King County Library System (1979-2002).

  • Author of over 60 books and audios on storytelling and folklore topics.

"MacDonald is a grand dame of storytelling."
...School Library Journal

2024_NSN_Annual_Conference.jpg

​Photo from 2024 NSN Annual Conference

Awards and Honors

 

  • Fulbright Scholar to Mahasarakham University Thailand.

  • Talking Leaves Literary Award, established in 2001 by the National Storytelling Network to honor those who "have had a major influence and force in the literary body of storytelling." .

  • Lifetime Achievement Award, National Storytelling Network

  • Outstanding Author & Storyteller Award 2001-2002, Washington Organization for Reading Development (IRA)

  • Aesop Accolade for Mabela the Clever

  • Anne Izard Award for Teaching with Story; Go to Sleep Gecko; Boy from the Dragon Palace, and The Storyteller's Sourcebook.

  • Parenting Magazine Reading Magic Award for Pickin' Peas.

  • Parent's Choice Awards for Mabela the Clever and Fat Cat

  • Storytelling World Awards for numerous books.

  • Sharjah World Book Fair Award 2010 for How Many Donkeys: An Arabic Counting Tale.

Print and Net Bios

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  • Something About the Author, v. 94. Pp142-145. Gale Research, 1998.

  • Contemporary Authors, New Revision Series, v. 56 Gale Research, 1998.

  • Contemporary Authors, v.110 . Gale Research, 1984.

  • Storytellers: A Biographical Directory of 120 English-Speaking Performers Worldwide by Corki Miller and Mary Ellen Snodgrass, McFarland, 1998.

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0s-PxODog4
    MRM talks about her work in an interview at Pikes Peak Library System:​

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Resume

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Download a copy of MRM's resume.

Mouse illustration by Julie Paschkis

© 2025 Margaret Read MacDonald

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