Brandenberg was born in Wildwood Crest, New Jersey, to James Peter and Stella (née Lagakos) Liacouras. Her parents, who lived in Philadelphia, were originally from Greece, and they taught her to speak Greek as a first language. She started to draw at an early age, and her parents enrolled her in art classes. She also took piano lessons.[1][2]
Career
After graduating from the Philadelphia Museum School of Art in 1951, Brandenberg worked briefly at JCPenney in New York, in that company's display department. She then moved back to Philadelphia and worked as a freelance artist, creating art for advertising and display purposes. She also taught classes in art, worked as a muralist, and started a greeting card company.[1][2]
In 1956 Brandenberg decided to explore her Greek heritage, as well as many other parts of Europe. During her travels she met Franz Brandenberg, whom she married the following year. After moving to Franz's native Switzerland, Brandenberg wrote her first book, The Story of William Tell, about the legendary Swiss archer.[1] The book, published in 1960, was well received. Brandenberg and her husband moved to New York, where Brandenberg began in earnest her long career as an illustrator and author of books for children.[2]
She has written and illustrated many books and she has also illustrated books for other authors, including her husband Franz Brandenberg. Brandenberg's career as an author and illustrator led her to explore many subjects of historic and scientific interest. Her nonfiction books, either written by herself or by others, touch upon matters as varied as dinosaurs, mammoths, book manufacturing, Shakespeare, evolution, and growing up. Aliki's fictional works explore such themes as family and friendship. Brandenberg's Greek heritage is also a recurring theme in her works, both fiction and nonfiction.[2]
Personal life
Brandenberg and her husband Franz moved to London, England in 1977, and after 35 years they moved back to New York City, where she continues to write books for children.[1][2][3]
She has two children, Jason and Alexa.[1][4] Alexa is a children's book author and illustrator of several books, including I am Me!
Home: A Collection Of Thirty Distinguished Authors And Illustrators Of Children's Books To Aid The Homeless (illustrated by Aliki, edited by Michael Rosen)
How a Book Is Made
Hush Little Baby
I Once Knew a Man (illustrated by Aliki, written by Franz Brandenberg)
I Want to Read (illustrated by Aliki, written by Betty Ren Wright)
I Wish I Was Sick, Too (illustrated by Aliki, written by Franz Brandenberg)
I'm Growing
It's Not My Fault (illustrated by Aliki, written by Franz Brandenberg)
Jack and Jake
Keep Your Mouth Closed, Dear
Leo and Emily
Manners
Marianthe's Story (including Painted Words and Spoken Memories)
Milk: From Cow to Carton
Mommy's Briefcase (illustrated by Aliki, written by Alice Low)
Mummies Made in Egypt (was used on the PBS TV series Reading Rainbow March 30, 1989)
My Feet
My Five Senses
My Hands
My Visit to the Aquarium
My Visit to the Dinosaurs
My Visit to the Zoo
New Year's Day
Nice New Neighbors (illustrated by Aliki, written by Franz Brandenberg)
No School Today (illustrated by Aliki, written by Franz Brandenberg)
Oh Lord, I Wish I Was a Buzzard (illustrated by Aliki, written by Polly Greenberg)
One Little Spoonful
Overnight at Mary Bloom's
Push Button
Quiet in the Garden
Six New Students (illustrated by Aliki, written by Franz Brandenberg)
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