Hi, I'm
Margaret Roc
I write storybooks, information books and YA
I began writing books for children when my own children were born and I have continued writing in my spare time ever since.
Now I am the author, co-author and editor of more than 50 books for children and teachers including picture books, early readers and non-fiction books.
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My Story
Background
I was born in Scotland and I spent my early years there before immigrating to Australia with my family.
I now live in Sydney, Australia with my husband, John.
I have a son, James, who is a network architect and a daughter, Tasneem Roc who is a TV and film actress.
I have two grandchildren who are often the inspiration for new stories!
My Story
Background
I was born in Scotland and I spent my early years there before immigrating to Australia with my family.
I now live in Sydney, Australia with my husband, John.
I have a son, James, who is a network architect and a daughter, Tasneem Roc who is a TV and film actress.
I have two grandchildren who are often the inspiration for new stories!
Teaching
I was a primary school teacher and later a Special Needs teacher for a number of years before becoming a Teacher-Librarian which I particularly loved.
I enjoyed imparting the joy and love of books and exciting the students in reading as well as developing their critical research and IT skills and strategies.
I have taught in a number of Sydney schools and in Guildford, England.
Collaboration
Over the years I have had an ongoing collaboration with my friend, author and editor, Kathleen Hawke and we have written many books together.
Our books Australia’s Critically Endangered Animals and Australia’s Deadly and Dangerous Animals and Plants (Heinemann) are on the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge, a literacy initiative designed to promote reading to children.
Writing
I loved teaching young children, and I love writing books for them to enjoy and to help them to find out about themselves and the world around them.
Most of my picture books are written in a light-hearted and amusing way but deal with important themes like loneliness, friendship, family and belonging.
I love writing about animals and many of my non-fiction books are about animals and the environment.
Jellybean goes to school
Jellybean Goes to School (Tamarind Books, Random House UK) is my latest picture book and I wrote it after many years of teaching children in their first week of school and asking them what they felt, what they wanted to learn and what they thought school was all about.
Professional Associations
I am a member of The Australian Society of Authors, The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), The Children’s Book Council of Australia and Writing NSW.
Qualifications
MA(Syd) MA(UWS) BA(Syd) DipEd(Syd) GradDip Inf(UTS)