It was homesickness while living in New Zealand that got me writing. Longing for San Francisco, I wrote down my childhood memories in this beautiful city. Soon my stories were published in The New Zealand School Journals, for PLAYSCHOOL, a BBC television show and as picture books. I became the children's book reviewer for "The Listener" and "Australia/New Zealand Bookworld". Returning to the U.S. I took a wonderful job as a full-time children's writer for Addison-Wesley Publishing and in 1980 founded my own children's educational software company. Today, I'm still dreaming up new ideas for children's books; it's a lifelong passion.

Gullible Gus
Clarion Books
Houghton Mifflin
2008

Three rollicking tall tales and a gullible cowboy who believes every darned one of them. A high-spirited, side-splitting yarn with colorful characters you’ll never believe but also never forget.

The Story of Ruth
Retold by Maxine Rose Schur, Illustrated by Gwen Connelly
ISBN 1-58013-114-X
Kar Ben Publishing 2005
Ages 4-8

Here is the story of Ruth as you have never heard it before.  Told with poetry and depth, this retelling by Maxine Rose Schur evokes the authenticity of its time and place and captures a beautiful love story as well as the strength of two legendary women. A treat for children ages four to eight.

"Maxine Rose Schur’s beautiful retelling makes the story of Ruth accessible to children, with a book well suited to being read silently and allowed.  The story of Ruth is written in modern English and sprinkled with words to give the language the rhythms and sounds of an older text, without presenting difficulty for the reader. Schur handles the levirate marriage deftly. this masterful rendition of the ancient story of Ruth and Naomi will help make it accessible to younger readers, and will be enjoyed by adults and children.  Highly recommended for grades 1 to 5."
Marci Lavine Bloch, American Jewish Library Newsletter, Nov/Dec. 2005

The Peddler's Gift
(Picture Book for Kindergarten through 3rd grade)
ISBN 0-8037-1978-7
Dial Books, Penguin USA 1999

An original Russian-Jewish folk story. The wistful and moving tale of a boy who steals a toy from a foolish peddler only to discover he's not so foolish after all.

Winner of the Year 2000 Sydney Taylor Award
1999 Smithsonian Notable Book of the Century
1999 Bay Area Book Reviewers Association Award Nominee
A Bank Street College of Education 1999 Best Children’s Book of the Year
New York Public Library List of 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
A Year 2000 IRA Notable Book for a Global Society

"The combination of Schur’s poetic prose and Kimberly Bulcken Root’s gorgeous illustrations make The Peddler’s Gift a beautiful book to read, to look at, and to think about."
Linda Starr, Education World, 1999

"Fine storytelling, rhythmic and controlled."
The Horn Book

"This nuanced portrait of shtetl life opens a window onto a lost world."
Smithsonian Magazine

"A season standout!"
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"The author has a talent for developing complex themes with a luminous clarity of language."
American Jewish Library Newsletter

"This gentle story is written with a fine folkloric tone that evokes both the richness and simplicity of a time long past."
School Library Journal

"Schur writes with poetic grace... with color and depth, making a painful incident poignant and underscoring some of life's elusive lessons."
San Francisco Examiner

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When I Left My Village
(Historical storybook 2nd through 4th grade)
ISBN 0-8037- 1561-7
Dial Books, Penguin USA 1996

Sequel to DAY OF DELIGHT, this is the wrenching story of an Ethiopian Jewish family's perilous escape to the Sudan in the mid 1980s and their miraculous airlift rescue by the Israelis. Beautifully illustrated by Caldecott Award winner, Brian Pinkney.

1996 American Booksellers Pick of the Lists,"
1996 Notable Book in Field of Social Studies
1996 Bay Area Book Reviewers Award Nominee
Winner of the 1996 Sugarman Family Award
Winner of the 1996 Sydney Taylor Award.

"...writing with pathos deepened by memorable imagery. A trenchant sequel to the acclaimed Day of Delight "
Publishers Weekly

"The narrative is both dramatic and lyrical: evocative images fill the book. With great artistry, Schur weaves history, adventure, and family drama into a polished narrative."
Kirkus Reviews, (pointered review)

"Provocative and emotional... a riveting family story."
The Horn Book

Sacred Shadows
(Young Adult Historical Novel)
ISBN 0-8037-2295-8 Dial Books, Penguin USA 1997

Based on true events in the author's family's life, this is a coming of age story of a German-Jewish girl living in Poland during the inter-war years. A powerful love story set against the anti-Semitic milieu of pre-holocaust Europe.

1997 National Jewish Book Award Finalist
A 1998 Notable Book in the Field of Social Studies
A 1998 Notable Book for a Global Society by the International Reading Association Society of School Librarians
1998 Honor Book
1998 Young Hoosiers Award Nominee

"Exquisitely Rendered"
The Horn Book

"A moving story, exquisitely told... a novel with the ring of authenticity as well as artistry."
The Contra Costa Times

"The magic of this book lies in the remarkable writing style of the author whose depiction of time and place is so vivid that you walk the streets and recognize the people."
Children's Literature

Now in Paperback!

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Samantha's Surprise
(book, audio tape and movie)
The American Girls Collection,
The Pleasant Company/Mattel
1986

Samantha: An American Girl Holiday
Warner Brother Films, 2004
produced by Julia Roberts.

A New York Times Critics Pick

Samantha Parkington, a nine-year-old orphan girl living with her grandmother in the America of 1904. While Samantha is excitedly preparing for Christmas. she learns that her Uncle Gard is bringing his girlfriend Cornelia to visit. The whole household is turned upside down, along with Samantha's plans. Samantha begins to resent Cornelia, but before Christmas Day arrives, she learns an important lesson about kindness. A lively, very human story that provides a window into 1904 America.

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The Witch at the Wellington Library
Viking Seven Seas Publishers New Zealand, 1978
Ages 4-7

What happens when an ugly witch takes up residence in the library?
Boo-tiful things!

The witch does cause some hilarious mischief with the library patrons but she is an artist as well. Her lovely paintings fascinate the community and despite her frightful appearance she finds fame... and love.

Full of suspense, surprise and humor, The Witch at the Wellington Library will delight readers not only at Halloween but throughout the year.

Weka Won't Learn
(picture book) alibris.com natureandco.com
Viking SevenSeas Publishers, New Zealand 1977

New Zealand has some of the most unusual native birds in the world. All of them flightless and very rare. In this paperback picture book, eight of these birds are brought to life in charming stories that highlight each bird's unique habits and characteristics. An engaging and educational introduction to New Zealand's natural world.

Ages 4-7

Work in Progress :
A Feast of Beasts: Fact and Fancy about Little-Known Animals

Did you ever
bathe with a babirusa,
tangle with a tangalung
meet a matamata, or
jump with a jerboa?
No?
Then this is the book for you!

In A Feast of Beasts, you’ll encounter real, little-known animals with habits as curious as their tongue-twisting names.  A delightful bestiary of amazing facts and poetic fancy for children aged 5 and up. 

From Mexico to Madagascar, you’ll discover a wondrous assortment of unsung animals.  Not famous -- but fabulous!