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Marty Johnson
~Author~
Marty Johnson was born and spent her early years in Portland, Maine. She and Ed
Johnson, Sr., met while Marty was in Junior High School one Sunday morning in church in
Bremerton, WA and it was in 1963 that they became husband and wife. Marty (Martha Bernier)
was the 1962 Homecoming Queen for West High School in Bremerton. Her husband,
Ed, a Seattle University graduate, also graduated
from West High School (1961). Marty and Ed have raised their three children, for the most
part, in the greater Seattle area. They also lived in Oregon, California and Hawaii. They,
two of their children and four of their grandchildren, currently reside in Highlands Ranch,
CO. Marty and Ed's two youngest grandchildren reside with their youngest son Matt, a diplomat for the
State Department in Tel Aviv, Israel, and his wife Franziska.
As a Christian, Marty celebrates the Lord's love for us through the eyes of a child
in her poetry, intended for young and old alike. Her poetry reflects upon the common,
everyday thoughts and experiences of children, rooted in faith and family. Marty draws
her inspiration from her own childhood recollections and the observations she has made
among her children and grandchildren. Her mother's love of poetry and her father's love
of adventure have also been important building blocks for her imaginative writings.
Above all, Marty's story is one of family—a very talented one! Her first book,
Christmas Time In My House (an EMJ Enterprises publication, 2000), was a
collaborative effort with her daughter-in-law, Franziska Johnson (illustrator). Marty's
classic Christmas poem that rekindles one's favorite holiday memories was joined by
Franziska's intricate and heartwarming illustrations to create a true keepsake of a book.
This book marked the first publication of her son's (Ed Jr.'s) company, EMJ Enterprises,
and the fulfillment of a life-long dream.
Raise Up A Child, Marty's second book, is a collaboration with her daughter, Sue
Antonsen (photographer). Released in September 2001 by EMJ Enterprises; this book is a compilation of 44 original poems written by Marty and 37 of Sue's black and white photographs.
The poems speak to the sacredness of our children's upbringing, experienced among
the most common, everyday experiences of life. The photographs celebrate the intimacy
of family life and capture the spontaneous and gentle qualities that are unique to
children. Marty's youngest son, Matthew, served as the editor of Raise Up A Child and
her husband, Ed, helped out in every aspect of producing and promoting this book (See
bios on pp. 78-79, Raise Up A Child).
Marty Johnson is also a dynamic speaker who loves to share her writings and
insights on life and family with both adults and children. Through her
writing and speaking she strives to instill into her audience the message that was
inscribed upon her wedding certificate many years ago: "Your home shall be a haven where
two tables are spread—one for the food of the body, and one for the nourishment of the
soul."
Marty also hosted her own radio program, "Raise Up A Child", on KLTT for an extended period of time. Her message was one that uplifted and encouraged! As Marty says the program was meant to be a "cool drink of water on a hot day" which was also confirmed by her listening audience.
About Sue Antonsen, Photographer: Raise Up A Child
About Franziska Johnson, Illustrator, Christmas Time In My House
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