Betty Paraskevas

Who was Betty Paraskevas?

Rita E. "Betty" Paraskevas was a New York writer and lyricist best known for her work on Maggie and the Ferocious Beast.

Born in New Jersey, prior to becoming a children's author, Paraskevas worked for many years as a playwright and lyricist on Broadway, working with producer Harry Rigby on shows such as Sugar Babies and No, No, Nannette.

She was partnered with her son, illustrator Michael Paraskevas. Betty Paraskevas moved to Southampton in the mid 1980s. Her collaboration with her son began in the early 1980s when Michael – already a successful illustrator – encouraged her to write a story which he could then illustrate. They produced On the Edge of the Sea, which was published by Dial Books in 1982. Their second book, which she once again penned, was Junior Kroll. Published in 1993, it led to their first series. Since then the pair have written over 20 books, three of which have been turned into television series.

Betty Paraskevas died on April 7, 2010 from complications due to pancreatic cancer; she was 81 when she died in Southampton, NY. In addition to her son Michael, she is survived by her daughter.