Diane Swanson

Diane Swanson (born 5 April 1944) is a Canadian writer of science books for children.[1][2]

Biography

Swanson was born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta.[3] As a child, she and her terrier Sammy would spend summers looking for ladybugs and spiders outside.[4]

She graduated from the University of Alberta with an Honors Bachelor of Arts in the social sciences.[2][3] She taught in the West Indies for two years.[3] She researched water resources for the Canadian government while living in Ottawa.[3]

Swanson's first book was published when she was 18.[2] She has written over 70 books and 450 magazine articles.[3]

Swanson lives in Victoria, British Columbia.[3] Her hobbies are hiking, piano-playing, and reading.[2] She is married and has two children.[5]

Reception

The Toronto Globe and Mail described Swanson's A Crash of Rhinos, A Party of Jays as providing "a cheerfully educational vantage point from which to view the natural world and its denizens".[6] Booklist called it "part science and part English lesson", deeming it "great for individual or classroom consumption".[7]

The Globe and Mail called The Wonder in Water a "well-laid-out and attractively illustrated book".[8]

Nzong Xiong, writing for The Fresno Bee, described The Dentist & You as an "easy-to-read" book designed to help make dentist visits for children ages 4 to 7 "easier and less fearful".[9] Resource Links found it to be useful for "parents wanting to prepare their children for their first visit to the dentist" or teachers, but found the book "a bit too long and detailed" for the target audience.[10] School Library Journal, however, tagged it as "excellent in relation to other titles on the same subject".[11]

Buffalo Sunrise was called "a full-bodied photo essay" and an "exemplary book" that "ably" recounts the history of the American buffalo by the San Francisco Chronicle.[12] Booklist called it "a useful resource for middle-graders".[13]

Reviewing Alligators and Crocodiles, Frogs and Toads and Penguins from the Welcome to the World of Animals series for the School Library Journal, Arwen Marshall of the Minneapolis Public Library criticized the narrow scope of the books, saying "These serviceable overviews might be useful for brief reports, but they don't cover any new ground."[14] Resource Links found the series to provide "enough information to satisfy [students'] curiosity while also meeting their research needs",[15] recommending the books "for any elementary school library".[16]

Published works

Animals Can Be So ... series

Title Published Date Illustrator/Photographer Publisher ISBN
Animals Can Be So Speedy 2001 Greystone Books 1-55054-827-1
Animals Can Be So Sleepy 2001 Greystone Books 1-55054-837-9
Animals Can Be So Hard to See 2002 Greystone Books 1-55054-901-4
Animals Can Be So Playful 2002 Greystone Books 1-55054-900-6

Canada Close Up series

Title Published Date Illustrator/Photographer Publisher ISBN
Canada Close Up: Canada's Bugs 2007 Scholastic Canada 0-43994-673-5

Mysterious You series

Title Published Date Illustrator/Photographer Publisher ISBN
Hmm?: The Most Interesting Book You'll Ever Read About Memory 2001 Rose Cowles Kids Can Press 1-55074-595-6
Burp!: The Most Interesting Book You'll Ever Read about Eating 2001 Rose Cowles Kids Can Press 1-55074-601-4

Nature Detectives — The Living World series

Title Published Date Illustrator/Photographer Publisher ISBN
The Sixth Street Wetland Detectives 1996 Stuart Duncan Pacific Edge Publishing 1-89511-044-0
The Cedar Club Forest Detectives 1996 Stuart Duncan Pacific Edge Publishing 1-89511-042-4
The Central School Seashore Detectives 1996 Terry Smith Pacific Edge Publishing 1-89511-039-4
The Gibson Park Grassland Detective 1996 Terry Smith Pacific Edge Publishing 1-89511-041-6
The Kingfisher Camp River Detectives 1998 Judith Rackham Pacific Edge Publishing 1-89511-054-8

True Stories from the Edge series

Title Published Date Illustrator/Photographer Publisher ISBN
Tunnels! 2003 Annick Press 1-55037-781-7

Up Close series

Title Published Date Illustrator/Photographer Publisher ISBN
Up Close: Noses That Plow and Poke 1999 Greystone Books 1-55054-733-X
Up Close: Tails That Talk and Fly 1999 Greystone Books 1-55054-717-8
Up Close: Teeth That Stab and Grind 2000 Greystone Books 1-55054-768-2
Up Close: Feet That Suck and Feed 2000 Greystone Books 1-55054-767-4
Up Close: Skin That Slimes and Scares 2001 Greystone Books 1-55054-817-4
Up Close: Headgear That Hides and Plays 2001 Douglas & McIntyre 1-55054-819-0

Welcome to the World series

Title Published Date Illustrator/Photographer Publisher ISBN
Welcome to the World of Whales 1996 Whitecap Books 1-55110-490-3
Welcome to the World of Wolves 1996 Whitecap Books 1-55110-491-1
Welcome to the World of Otters 1997 Whitecap Books 1-55110-520-9
Welcome to the World of Bears 1997 Whitecap Books 1-55285-312-8
Welcome to the World of Wild Cats 1997 Whitecap Books 1-55110-615-9
Welcome to the World of Owls 1997 Whitecap Books 1-55110-614-0
Welcome to the World of Eagles 1998 Whitecap Books 1-55110-706-6
Welcome to the World of Foxes 1998 Whitecap Books 1-55110-705-8
Welcome to the World of Raccoons 1998 Whitecap Books 1-55110-782-1
Welcome to the World of Bats 1998 Whitecap Books 1-55110-784-8
Welcome to the World of Beavers 1999 Whitecap Books 1-55110-853-4
Welcome to the World of Moose 1999 Whitecap Books 1-55110-854-2
Welcome to the World of Porcupines 1999 Whitecap Books 1-55110-856-9
Welcome to the World of Skunks 1999 Whitecap Books 1-55110-855-0
Welcome to the World of Rabbits and Hares 2000 Whitecap Books 1-55285-024-2
Welcome to the World of Octopuses 2000 Whitecap Books 1-55285-023-4
Welcome to the World of Squirrels 2001 Whitecap Books 1-55285-259-8
Welcome to the World of Coyotes 2001 Whitecap Books 1-55285-258-X
Welcome to the World of Snakes 2001 Whitecap Books 1-55285-171-0
Welcome to the World of Sharks 2001 Whitecap Books 1-55285-170-2
Welcome to the World of Wild Horses 2002 Whitecap Books 1-55285-321-7
Welcome to the World of Hummingbirds 2002 Whitecap Books 1-55285-319-5
Welcome to the World of Frogs and Toads 2002 Whitecap Books 1-55285-354-3
Welcome to the World of Alligators and Crocodiles 2002 Whitecap Books 1-55285-355-1
Welcome to the Whole World of Elephants 2003 Turtleback Books 0-61378-586-X
Welcome to the Whole World of Penguins 2003 Whitecap Books 1-55285-450-7
Welcome to the World of Kangaroos 2004 Whitecap Books 1-55285-471-X
Welcome to the World of Orangutans 2004 San Val 0-61378-593-2
Welcome to the World of Wolverines 2007 Whitecap Books 1-55285-840-5
Welcome to the World of Spirit Bears 2007 Whitecap Books 1-55285-847-2

Other books

Authored

Title Published Date Illustrator/Photographer Publisher ISBN
Technology for the Home 1987 British Columbia Ministry of Education
A Toothy Tongue and One Long Foot: Nature Activities for Kids 1992 Whitecap Books 1-55110-022-3
The Emerald Sea: Exploring the Underwater Wilderness of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska 1993 Dale Sanders Alaska Northwest Books 0-88240-450-4
Safari Beneath the Sea: The Wonder World of the North Pacific Coast 1994 Demco Media 0-60608-861-X
Sky Dancers: The Amazing World of Canadian Birds 1995 Doug Penhale Whitecap Books 1-55110-306-0
Buffalo Sunrise: The Story of a North American Giant 1996 Whitecap Books 1-55110-378-8
Bug Bites: Insects Hunting Insects ... and More 1997 Whitecap Books 1-55285-169-9
Animals Eat the Weirdest Things 1998 Terry Smith Henry Holt and Company (BYR) 0-80505-846-X
The Doctor and You 2001 Annick Press 1-55037-672-1
Nibbling on Einstein's Brain: The Good, the Bad and the Bogus in Science 2001 Warren Clark Annick Press 1-55037-686-1
The Dentist & You 2002 Rose Cowles Annick Press 1-55037-729-9
The Balloon Sailors 2003 Krystyna Lipka-Sztarballo Annick Press 1-55037-809-0
Turn It Loose: The Scientist in Absolutely Everybody 2004 Warren Clark Annick Press 1-55037-850-3
The Wonder in Water 2005 Annick Press 1-55037-936-4
A Crash of Rhinos, a Party of Jays: The Wacky Ways We Name Animal Groups 2006 Mariko Ando Spencer Annick Press 1-55451-048-1
Bugs Up Close 2007 Paul Davidson Kids Can Press 1-55453-138-1
Cheetah Cubs and Beetle Grubs: The Wacky Ways We Name Young Animals 2007 Mariko Ando Spencer Annick Press 1-55451-083-X
You Are Weird: Your Body's Peculiar Parts and Funny Functions 2009 Kathy Boake Kids Can Press 1-55453-282-5
Animals Aha!: Thrilling Discoveries in Wildlife Science 2009 Annick Press 1-55451-164-X

Co-authored

Title Published Date Co-author Illustrator/Photographer Publisher ISBN
Exploring Canada: Learning from the Past 1985 Vivien Bowers Pgw 0-88894-87
More than Meets the Eye 1989 Vivien Bowers Pacific Educational Press 0-88865-065-5
Why Seals Blow Their Noses: North American Wildlife in Fact and Fiction 1992 Douglas Penhale Douglas Penhale Whitecap Books 1-55110-038-X
Squirts and Snails and Skinny Green Tails : Seashore Nature Activities for Kids 1993 Warren Clark Warren Clark Whitecap Books 1-55110-062-2
Coyotes in the Crosswalk: Canadian Wildlife in the City 1994 Douglas Penhale Douglas Penhale Whitecap Books 1-55110-140-8
The Day of the Twelve Story Wave: Grinding Glaciers, Howling Hurricanes, Spewing Volcanoes, and Other Awesome Forces of Nature 1995 Laura Cook Laura Cook Longstreet Press 1-56352-260-8

Awards

Bugs Up Close -Finalist, Silver Birch Express Award, 2009 -Finalist, Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award, 2008

The Wonder in Water - shortlisted for the Silver Birch Award, 2006/07

Turn It Loose - shortlisted for the 2006/07 Red Cedar Award

Tunnels! True stories from the edge, Winner of the Hackmatack Award, 2004–05

Nibbling on Einstein's Brain - Short-listed, B.C. Red Cedar Book Award, 2003/2004 - White Raven, International Youth Library, Munich, 2002 - Nonfiction Honor List, Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA), American Library Association, 2002 - Notables 2002, Canadian Library Association - Short-listed, Science in Society Award, 2002 - Los Angeles' 100 Best Books, 2001

Hmm? (Kids Can Press, 2001, illustrated by Rose Cowles) - Short-listed, B.C. Red Cedar Book Award, 2003/2004 - Short-listed, Utah Children's Informational Book Award, 2002–03 - Short-listed, Ontario Silver Birch Award, 2002 - Winner, Informal Education Product of the Year Award for Linguistic Intelligence, 2002

Burp! (Kids Can Press, 2001, illustrated by Rose Cowles) - Notables 2002, Canadian Library Association - Children's Choices for 2002, International Reading Association and Children's Book Council - Short-listed, Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award, 2002 - Short-listed, Rocky Mountain Award, 2002–03 - Short-listed, Atlantic Provinces Hackmatack Award, 2002–03 - Winner, Informal Education Product of the Year Award for Linguistic Intelligence, 2002

Up Close: Skin That Slimes and Scares, (Greystone Books, 2001) - Short-listed, B.C. Red Cedar Book Award, 2003/2004

Animals Eat the Weirdest Things (Whitecap Books & Henry Holt, 1998, illus. by Terry Smith) - Short-listed, Rocky Mountain Book Award, 2001

Welcome to the World of Rabbits and Hares, 2000 Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre Welcome to the World of Octopuses, 2000 Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre Feet That Suck and Feed, 2000 Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre Teeth That Stab and Grind, 2000 Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre

Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, 1995, for Safari Beneath the Sea

Animals Eat the Weirdest Things (Whitecap Books & Henry Holt, 1998, illus. by Terry Smith)

Bug Bites (Whitecap Books, 1997, illustrated by the Royal British Columbia Museum)

Buffalo Sunrise (Whitecap Books and Sierra Club Books for Children, 1996)

The Day of the Twelve-Story Wave (Whitecap Books/Longstreet Press, 1995, illus. by Laura Cook)

Sky Dancers (Whitecap Books and Voyageur Press, 1995, illustrated by Doug Penhale)

Safari Beneath the Sea (Whitecap Books & Sierra Club Books for Children, 1994, photography by the Royal British Columbia Museum)

Coyotes in the Crosswalk (Whitecap Books, 1994 and Voyageur Press, 1995, illustrated by Doug Penhale); French edition: Attention! Coyote Au Carrefour (Heritage jeunesse, 1995)

Squirts and Snails and Skinny Green Tails (Whitecap Books, 1993, 1997 and Bob Adams, 1994, illustrated by Warren Clark); French edition: Coquilles, Coquillages Et Tresors De La Plage (Heritage jeunesse, 1995)

The Emerald Sea (Whitecap Books and Alaska Northwest Books, 1993, photography by Dale Sanders)

Why Seals Blow Their Noses (Whitecap Books, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997 and Voyageur Press, 1994, illustrated by Doug Penhale); French edition: Pourquoi Les Phoques Ont-Ils Un Ballon Sur Le Nez? (Heritage jeunesse, 1995)

A Toothy Tongue and One Long Foot (Whitecap Books, 1992, 1993 and Bob Adams, 1994, illustrated by Warren Clark and Carolyn Swanson)

Welcome to the World series (Whitecap Books) Welcome to the World of Porcupines, 1999

Welcome to the World of Skunks, 1999

Welcome to the World of Beavers, 1999

Welcome to the World of Moose, 1999

Welcome to the World of Bats, 1998

Welcome to the World of Raccoons, 1998

Welcome to the World of Foxes, 1998

Welcome to the World of Eagles, 1998

Welcome to the World of Owls, 1997

Welcome to the World of Wild Cats, 1997

Welcome to the World of Bears, 1997

Welcome to the World of Otters, 1997

Welcome to the World of Wolves, 1996

Welcome to the World of Whales, 1996

Other memberships

CWILL B.C. Canadian Children's Book Centre

References

  1. ↑ "Swanson, Diane, 1944–". Library of Congress Authorities. Retrieved 2015-03-19.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Diane Swanson – Author". Kids Can Press (kidscanpress.com). Q & A. Retrieved 2015-03-19.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Diane Swanson – Author". Kids Can Press (kidscanpress.com). Biography. Retrieved 2015-03-19.
  4. ↑ "Author of the Week—Diane Swanson". 1998 Summer Reading Club. British Columbia Library Association. 1998. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  5. ↑ "Diane Swanson". Annick Press. Annick Press. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  6. ↑ Perren, Susan (2006-10-21). "Children's Books". Globe and Mail. Toronto: Bell Globemedia. p. D26.
  7. ↑ Zvirin, Stephanie (2007-01-01). "A Crash of Rhinos, A Party of Jays: The Wacky Ways We Name Animal Groups". Booklist. American Library Association. 103 (9–10): 112.
  8. ↑ Perren, Susan (2005-10-22). "Children's Books". Globe and Mail. Toronto: Bell Globemedia. p. D22.
  9. ↑ Xiong, Nzong (2002-06-03). "Brush kids' fears away". The Freson Bee. Fresno, CA. p. E1.
  10. ↑ Cohen, Nancy (October 2002). "The Dentist and You. (Non-Fiction: Preschool–Grade 6)". Resource Links. 8 (1): 23.
  11. ↑ Moesch, Christine A. (June 2002). "Swanson, Diane. The Dentist & You". School Library Journal. 48 (6): 126.
  12. ↑ Faust, Susan (1996-04-28). "How the West was Run". San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco. p. 14.
  13. ↑ Sherman, Chris (1996-05-01). "Buffalo Sunrise: The story of a North American giant". Booklist. American Library Association. 92 (17): 1504.
  14. ↑ Marshall, Arwen (September 2004). "Swanson, Diane. Alligators and Crocodiles". School Library Journal. 50 (9): 194.
  15. ↑ Jollimore, Karen (December 1998). "Welcome to the world series—raccoons". Resource Links. 4 (2): 11–12.
  16. ↑ "Whales". Resource Links. 2 (3): 122. February 1997.
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