Marilyn Ward

Center for Children's Literature director Dr. John Warren Stewig is assisted by Marilyn Ward, Carthage professor of education.

Marilyn Ward grew up in a big white and red house on the Lake Michigan shoreline, reading "Cinderella," Dr. Seuss, "Heidi," "Eloise," "Alice in Wonderland," and books about ballet. Today, she teaches about those books and many more, two miles south of that house on Lake Michigan, at Carthage College.

Dr. Ward joined the Carthage Education faculty in 1990. She teaches courses in Children’s and Young Adult Literature, Creative Arts, Social Studies Methods, Poetry Theatre, Gifted and Talented Education, and dance. She coordinates Carthage’s annual Seuss-a-thon, a reading fundraiser and celebration of Dr. Seuss. She also directs Poetkids Theatre at the Prairie School and Jerstad Elementary School in Racine, Wis.

Marilyn Ward, in a photograph taken by her father, reads the book "Cinderella," a book she now teaches today.

Dr. Ward earned bachelor of arts degrees in theatre, social studies and education from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, a master of arts degree in children’s theatre from Northwestern University, and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction (children’s literature and gifted and talented education) from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (where she was one of John Stewig’s students).

She has published books and articles on multicultural literature, children’s and young adult fiction on disabilities and differences, social studies trade books, and the integration of children’s books and theatre into the science curriculum.

In 2009, Dr. Ward received both the State Student Wisconsin Education Association and the National Student NEA Outstanding Chapter Advisor Awards. When she is not traveling all over the world visiting schools, libraries, theatres, museums, bookstores and conferences, she is at home one mile east of Lake Michigan, surrounded by wagon-loads of books.

Author Visit

Dr. Harlan Hansen spoke at Carthage July 30, advising parents and caregivers on preschool success.

Seuss-a-thon 2012

Get ready for green eggs and ham! The Center for Children's Literature presents the 14th annual Seuss-a-thon March 3.