Ari Berk

Ari Berk (born March 7, 1967) is an American writer, folklorist, artist, and a scholar of literature, iconography, and comparative myth. He holds degrees in ancient history (B.A.), American Indian Studies (M.A.), and a comparative literature and culture (Ph.D.) degree from Humboldt State University and the University of Arizona. The latter is from the University of Arizona. His dissertation was directed by Pulitzer Prize winner N. Scott Momaday and Berk was appointed to the committee which developed the first American Indian Studies doctoral program in the United States.

Career Berk is the author of numerous books for children and adults. He collaborated with fairy artist Brian Froud on The Runes of Elfland and Goblins!, and was one of the authors of the Lady Cottington series, along with Terry Jones and others. Berk began his interactive Secret History children's mythology series in the mid-2000s with The Secret History of Giants, and then wrote The Secret History of Mermaids and Merfolk and The Secret History of Hobgoblins. The Secret History of Giants won both a 2008 Recommended Parents' Choice Award and a 2009 Notable Award from The National Council of Teachers of English.

He is a professor of English at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant and teaches mythology, folklore, American Indian studies, and medieval literature. Berk is the former editor of the Folksroots section of Realms of Fantasy magazine. He sits on the board of directors of the Mythic Imagination Institute based in Atlanta. He was born in California and grew up in the state. He lives in Michigan with his wife and son.

Awards

The Secret History of Giants: Recommended Award 2008, Parents' Choice Award The Secret History of Giants: Notable Award 2009, The National Council of Teachers of English William Shakespeare: His Life and Times: Children's Choice Award 2010, School Library Association