Marian Hailey-Moss

Marian was raised in Seattle, Washington, where her early love of storytelling led her to the dramatic arts. Drawn to the stage, she moved to New York City and went on to perform leading and supporting roles on Broadway — including Harvey, Company, and The Women — as well as Off-Broadway productions and film, most notably her signature role in Lovers and Other Strangers. Her work as an actress deepened her fascination with emotion, motivation, and the inner lives of characters, which naturally evolved into a desire to understand and support real people.

This curiosity guided her toward the study of psychotherapy, where she discovered profound joy in helping others navigate their emotional worlds. A challenging period in her own life opened the door to a spiritual path, particularly the Quan Yin discipline of meditation. During this time, she also embraced a plant-based lifestyle and became passionate about how compassionate choices — including diet — can support both personal well-being and the health of the planet.

Marian’s creative life was further shaped by her deep personal connection with Jeffrey Moss, one of the original founders and head writers of Sesame Street. From Jeff, she learned the extraordinary power of a simple story to touch hearts and minds.

Inspired by that wisdom, Marian has written more than twenty children’s books celebrating the animal kingdom and the ways our compassion can help protect animals and the Earth we share.

All of her books are illustrated with whimsy and tenderness by Parisian artist Marc Chalvin, whose art brings her stories to life with warmth and charm. In The Bravest Tree, co-written with her dear friend Renata Holt, Marian explores the profound interconnectedness of all living things — a theme that echoes throughout her work and her life.
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