Kim Marie

Hi!  My name is Kim Marie.  I live in Cross Plains, Wisconsin, where I raised my two children.  When my son was about three years old, I looked for a book that would help him learn the sounds of letters.  I wanted an alphabet book with a complete story – beginning, middle, and end.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for.  Two and a half years later, I was in the same boat with my then three-year-old daughter.  Assuming other parents would be interested in a similar book, I decided to write one myself – the idea for A to Z Animal Picnic was born.  

As a single mother with a full-time insurance career, a love for travel, and a desire to attend Wisconsin sporting events, life was busy. Slowly but surely, I wrote and illustrated the story I had sought. When it was done, I placed the pages in a binder and set the binder on a shelf.  In 2017, my love of art and the UW Badgers came together when three of my designs were selected for an upcoming community event.  I brought my creations, 5^th Quarter Bucky, Funky Buckingham, and We Are Bucky to life for the 2018 Bucky on Parade community event.  In 2019, my artwork, Bloom, was selected to adorn one of Madison’s Downtown Doors.  In 2022, I retired from insurance – my children were raising children of their own – and I independently published A to Z Animal Picnic!

My best advice to aspiring authors and artists is to never give up on your dreams!

When I’m not writing or creating art, I love exploring, hiking, biking, kayaking, attending sporting events, and spending time with my children, their spouses, my four grandchildren, and my two granddogs.

Kim Marie

Live Your Dreams