Life & Work with Samantha Berger

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Berger.

Hi Samantha, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Samantha Berger may not be…

An otter with an attitude
A cranky cranky cranky little boy
A pig who needs glasses
A princess on the potty
A sloth at a music festival
A witch at a day spa
A Sasquatch with anxiety
A snail traveling cross-country
A girl riding a Pegacorn
A drawing that comes to life
A glamorous grandma
A party host is throwing a poop party
Or a monster with major underwear dilemmas…

BUT — she’s written books about them ALL!

It’s TRUE – I have written tons of picture books. The latest one, Find the Kind, is like a Where’s Waldo of finding kindness. You can look for hours, and like kindness itself, the more you look, the more you find. It’s illustrated by the remarkable Marina Varola and published by the good folks at Highlights. I’m also currently writing on shows for PBS Kids, Fred Rogers Productions, The Jim Henson Company, and Sesame Street.

So, pretty much, I am always writing stories and songs and trying to put messages out into the world about kindness, gratitude, and keeping a good sense of humor. The world can be a real bombardment to the heart. I like to think we can still shine some goodness every single day, and I know that’s what I’m here to do. Be Aggressively Nice… like SpongeBob.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
You’re asking about the road and whether or not it was smooth or if there were obstacles. Ahh, yes, the road. Well, ya know, the road is filled with bumps, cracks, stones, potholes, detours, uneven sidewalks, and boobytraps (that’s right, I said boobytraps!), and I have had PUH-LENTY.

But you know what else? It’s still a road. Roads take you places. They bring you to new vistas, new adventures, and new shifts in perspective. So, whatever the road is… take it! Way to beat a road metaphor to death, eh? But that’s what writers DO.

A road, no matter how bumpy, is still a path. So, as Dorothy says in The Wiz….ease on down, ease on… down the road.

I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I know how to connect with kids. I can make ’em laugh.
I can make ’em think.
I can listen, and most importantly,
I can learn from THEM.

This is because of three things:

• First, if you can share a clear message with a three-year-old, you can share it with anyone.
• Second, because I believe we are all the ages we have ever been.
• Third, because I create for the sake of creating.
  I know I’m not getting paid to make the best sandcastle in the word, and the water is still gonna wash it away by the end of the day — but I still gotta make it.

My inner three sees your inner three. Together, we can try and change the world.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Welp, let’s face it, there was no AI when I was starting out. So that was a great big difference right there.

That said, I still feel your voice is your voice. Your truth is your truth. Life is unpredictable, and tomorrows are not promised.

So – take the story, of all the stories, that you are most compelled to tell in this lifetime, and tell that one.

Tell it now. If it is a story that you would die if anyone else knew about you — tell that one. Tell it like only you can. The truth is your superpower.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://samanthaberger.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthabergerauthor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samantha.berger.31/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-berger-1a60895/

Image Credits
Fine the Kind illustrations by Marina Verola, published by Highlights Press What If… illustrations by Mike Curato, published by Little, Brown Rock What Ya Got illustrations by Kerascoet, published by Little Brown Snail Mail illustrations by Julia Patton, published by Running Press, Hachette I Love my Glam-ma illustrations by Sujean Rim, published by Scholastic Crankenstein illustrations by Dan Santat, published by Little, Brown The Sharey Godmother illustrations by Mike Curato, published by Little, Brown Foley and Friends illustrations by Sesame Street Carly and Elmo, & property of Sesame Street.