Betty Paraskevas
Rita E. "Betty" Paraskevas (April 8, 1929 – April 7, 2010) 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, Nanette". Betty Paraskevas moved to Southampton in the mid-1980s. Her collaborations with her son, Michael Paraskevas, began in the early 1990s 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 1992. Their second book, which she once again penned, was "Junior Kroll". Published in 1993, it led to their first series. Since then the pair produced over 20 books, three of which were turned into television series. Betty Paraskevas died on April 7, 2010, from complications due to pancreatic cancer; in Southampton, New York, one day before her 81st birthday.