Marianne Carus (June 16, 1928 – March 3, 2021) was a German-born American editor and publisher known for creating the children's magazine Cricket.

[1] Responding to educators who were using the basic readers created by her and her husband, Carus began outlining a children's literary magazine.

[2] Carus was not personally knowledgeable about publishing so she brought together a team of experts to act as her editorial board including Eleanor Cameron, Virginia Haviland, Clifton Fadiman, Lloyd Alexander, Isaac Bashevis Singer, and art director Trina Schart Hyman.

[2] Unlike other children's publications of the time, the magazine had hand-drawn covers which included a volume and issue number.

[1] Cricket Magazine Group expanded to publish Ladybug in 1990, Spider in 1994, Babybug in 1995 and Cicada in 1998.