Marian M. Schoolland (1902-1984) was an elementary school teacher who began writing in 1938 as she went to graduate school. For more than 40 years she translated, edited and wrote books, most of which were published by Eerdmans. Many are familiar with her devotional books – Leading Little Ones to God (Eerdmans, 1962; Banner of Truth, 1970), Marian’s Book of Bible Stories and Marian’s Favorite Bible Stories. Her other well-known works include the Patsy books and the Tomboy Janie series. She also wrote for The Banner and other periodicals.
She was the daughter of Klaas Schoolland (1851-1938), who was a professor in the ‘literary department’ of the institution that began by training ministers for Christian Reformed pulpits and eventually grew into what is now Calvin College. Born in the province of Friesland in the Netherlands in 1851, he studied for the ministry at the theological school in Kampen, and at the University of Groningen. He emigrated to the USA for his health, and taught Latin, Greek and Dutch for 29 years at Calvin before retiring at the age of 72. Marian Schoolland was herself a graduate of Calvin (1934), and in 1980 received their Distinguished Alumni Award. She was a member of the Christian Reformed Church of North America.