Meet the Creators

 

Marlene Byrne

“I was inspired to create Project Play as I watched my own children’s lives begin to get swallowed up in scheduled activities. Growing up in a small town in Wisconsin, my childhood was filled with neighborhood kids and backyard games.

After working in advertising, I believe creativity is an important life skill that is learned over time. I wanted to publish something that inspired families to value this creativity and feel good, not guilty, about their kids just playing in the backyard.”

Marlene lives in Chicago with her husband Brian, two children, Matthew and Maggie, and dog, Murphy.

 

Jesse Graber, Illustrator

“I come from the tall grass prairies and wheat fields of Kansas, where you learn at a young age to entertain yourself, because the wheat fields sure aren’t going to. I attended the American Academy of Art of Chicago and Bethel College in North Newton, KS, where my wife Ruth and I currently reside. I spend too much time playing fiddle and banjo, and encourage others to do the same.

My nephew, who, coincidently, is named Sam, is getting to be the age of the kids in this series. Watching him grow up, I realize how many more reasons he has to stay inside than I did at that age. I hope he learns some new games from these books, and I desperately hope someday he’ll let me win one.”

Jesse lives with his wife Ruth in North Newton, Kansas.