Jericho resident Marilyn Levinson was always interested in writing and started writing as a child. Her first children's book was published in 1986 and the fifth, Rufus and Magic Run Amok, will be available this fall.

Levinson incorporates life lessons in each of her books. The three-dimensional characters that she creates all deal with problems facing children of today.

"The books are all about how kids react, feel and think," said Levinson. "I always deal with people's feelings in my books because I think that is the basis of all literature. My books are usually psychological and there is usually a lot going on in them."

The first book, And Don't Bring Jeremy, is about two brothers and one of the brothers is learning disabled. The book details the struggles that the younger brother faces learning to live with and appreciate his older brother who has many difficulties. That book was a nominee for six state awards.

Another book, The Fourth Grade Four, deals with a major commonality among children - it is about a boy who has to wear glasses and doesn't want to.

No Boys Allowed is about a girl adjusting when her father leaves and marries someone else. Through her words, Levinson creates characters that the children can relate to and help them to realize that they are not the only ones going through hard times.

The most recent book, Rufus and Magic Run Amok, is a humorous tale about a 10-year-old boy, Rufus Breckenridge, who realizes that he is a witch. He has very mixed feelings about his realization because being a witch in his family is passed along the matriarchal lines. Rufus likes having the power and the strength, but finds it very hard to deal with. "This book is really about how we all have to deal with situations that we are given in life," said Levinson. "While it is a fun read, I always deal with serious issues that I think make kids think about other things as well relevant to their lives."

The issues that Levinson deals with, at first, came from experiences in her life and then she began getting ideas from many places. Conversations with other people, reading something or just an idea popping into her head are the many ways Levinson gets ideas. "Most of my books deal with family and relationships and everyday situations that kids come up with," said Levinson.

Levinson, who teaches a Writing for Children course at Hofstra University in their Continuing Education program, resides in Jericho with her husband Bernie. She plans to continue writing children's book and has just recently started expanding her audience by writing adult books as well.

Rufus and Magic Run Amok will be available in bookstores this fall.