Diane Swanson

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

Contents

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

TitlePublished DateIllustrator/PhotographerPublisherISBN
Animals Can Be So Speedy2001Greystone Books1-55054-827-1
Animals Can Be So Sleepy2001Greystone Books1-55054-837-9
Animals Can Be So Hard to See2002Greystone Books1-55054-901-4
Animals Can Be So Playful2002Greystone Books1-55054-900-6

Canada Close Up series

TitlePublished DateIllustrator/PhotographerPublisherISBN
Canada Close Up: Canada's Bugs2007Scholastic Canada0-43994-673-5

Mysterious You series

TitlePublished DateIllustrator/PhotographerPublisherISBN
Hmm?: The Most Interesting Book You'll Ever Read About Memory2001Rose CowlesKids Can Press1-55074-595-6
Burp!: The Most Interesting Book You'll Ever Read about Eating2001Rose CowlesKids Can Press1-55074-601-4

Nature Detectives — The Living World series

TitlePublished DateIllustrator/PhotographerPublisherISBN
The Sixth Street Wetland Detectives1996Stuart DuncanPacific Edge Publishing1-89511-044-0
The Cedar Club Forest Detectives1996Stuart DuncanPacific Edge Publishing1-89511-042-4
The Central School Seashore Detectives1996Terry SmithPacific Edge Publishing1-89511-039-4
The Gibson Park Grassland Detective1996Terry SmithPacific Edge Publishing1-89511-041-6
The Kingfisher Camp River Detectives1998Judith RackhamPacific Edge Publishing1-89511-054-8

True Stories from the Edge series

TitlePublished DateIllustrator/PhotographerPublisherISBN
Tunnels!2003Annick Press1-55037-781-7

Up Close series

TitlePublished DateIllustrator/PhotographerPublisherISBN
Up Close: Noses That Plow and Poke1999Greystone Books1-55054-733-X
Up Close: Tails That Talk and Fly1999Greystone Books1-55054-717-8
Up Close: Teeth That Stab and Grind2000Greystone Books1-55054-768-2
Up Close: Feet That Suck and Feed2000Greystone Books1-55054-767-4
Up Close: Skin That Slimes and Scares2001Greystone Books1-55054-817-4
Up Close: Headgear That Hides and Plays2001Douglas & McIntyre1-55054-819-0

Welcome to the World series

TitlePublished DateIllustrator/PhotographerPublisherISBN
Welcome to the World of Whales1996Whitecap Books1-55110-490-3
Welcome to the World of Wolves1996Whitecap Books1-55110-491-1
Welcome to the World of Otters1997Whitecap Books1-55110-520-9
Welcome to the World of Bears1997Whitecap Books1-55285-312-8
Welcome to the World of Wild Cats1997Whitecap Books1-55110-615-9
Welcome to the World of Owls1997Whitecap Books1-55110-614-0
Welcome to the World of Eagles1998Whitecap Books1-55110-706-6
Welcome to the World of Foxes1998Whitecap Books1-55110-705-8
Welcome to the World of Raccoons1998Whitecap Books1-55110-782-1
Welcome to the World of Bats1998Whitecap Books1-55110-784-8
Welcome to the World of Beavers1999Whitecap Books1-55110-853-4
Welcome to the World of Moose1999Whitecap Books1-55110-854-2
Welcome to the World of Porcupines1999Whitecap Books1-55110-856-9
Welcome to the World of Skunks1999Whitecap Books1-55110-855-0
Welcome to the World of Rabbits and Hares2000Whitecap Books1-55285-024-2
Welcome to the World of Octopuses2000Whitecap Books1-55285-023-4
Welcome to the World of Squirrels2001Whitecap Books1-55285-259-8
Welcome to the World of Coyotes2001Whitecap Books1-55285-258-X
Welcome to the World of Snakes2001Whitecap Books1-55285-171-0
Welcome to the World of Sharks2001Whitecap Books1-55285-170-2
Welcome to the World of Wild Horses2002Whitecap Books1-55285-321-7
Welcome to the World of Hummingbirds2002Whitecap Books1-55285-319-5
Welcome to the World of Frogs and Toads2002Whitecap Books1-55285-354-3
Welcome to the World of Alligators and Crocodiles2002Whitecap Books1-55285-355-1
Welcome to the Whole World of Elephants2003Turtleback Books0-61378-586-X
Welcome to the Whole World of Penguins2003Whitecap Books1-55285-450-7
Welcome to the World of Kangaroos2004Whitecap Books1-55285-471-X
Welcome to the World of Orangutans2004San Val0-61378-593-2
Welcome to the World of Wolverines2007Whitecap Books1-55285-840-5
Welcome to the World of Spirit Bears2007Whitecap Books1-55285-847-2

Other books

Authored

TitlePublished DateIllustrator/PhotographerPublisherISBN
Technology for the Home1987British Columbia Ministry of Education
A Toothy Tongue and One Long Foot: Nature Activities for Kids1992Whitecap Books1-55110-022-3
The Emerald Sea: Exploring the Underwater Wilderness of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska1993Dale SandersAlaska Northwest Books0-88240-450-4
Safari Beneath the Sea: The Wonder World of the North Pacific Coast1994Demco Media0-60608-861-X
Sky Dancers: The Amazing World of Canadian Birds1995Doug PenhaleWhitecap Books1-55110-306-0
Buffalo Sunrise: The Story of a North American Giant1996Whitecap Books1-55110-378-8
Bug Bites: Insects Hunting Insects ... and More1997Whitecap Books1-55285-169-9
Animals Eat the Weirdest Things1998Terry SmithHenry Holt and Company (BYR)0-80505-846-X
The Doctor and You2001Annick Press1-55037-672-1
Nibbling on Einstein's Brain: The Good, the Bad and the Bogus in Science2001Warren ClarkAnnick Press1-55037-686-1
The Dentist & You2002Rose CowlesAnnick Press1-55037-729-9
The Balloon Sailors2003Krystyna Lipka-SztarballoAnnick Press1-55037-809-0
Turn It Loose: The Scientist in Absolutely Everybody2004Warren ClarkAnnick Press1-55037-850-3
The Wonder in Water2005Annick Press1-55037-936-4
A Crash of Rhinos, a Party of Jays: The Wacky Ways We Name Animal Groups2006Mariko Ando SpencerAnnick Press1-55451-048-1
Bugs Up Close2007Paul DavidsonKids Can Press1-55453-138-1
Cheetah Cubs and Beetle Grubs: The Wacky Ways We Name Young Animals2007Mariko Ando SpencerAnnick Press1-55451-083-X
You Are Weird: Your Body's Peculiar Parts and Funny Functions2009Kathy BoakeKids Can Press1-55453-282-5
Animals Aha!: Thrilling Discoveries in Wildlife Science2009Annick Press1-55451-164-X

Co-authored

TitlePublished DateCo-authorIllustrator/PhotographerPublisherISBN
Exploring Canada: Learning from the Past1985Vivien BowersPgw0-88894-87
More than Meets the Eye1989Vivien BowersPacific Educational Press0-88865-065-5
Why Seals Blow Their Noses: North American Wildlife in Fact and Fiction1992Douglas PenhaleDouglas PenhaleWhitecap Books1-55110-038-X
Squirts and Snails and Skinny Green Tails : Seashore Nature Activities for Kids1993Warren ClarkWarren ClarkWhitecap Books1-55110-062-2
Coyotes in the Crosswalk: Canadian Wildlife in the City1994Douglas PenhaleDouglas PenhaleWhitecap Books1-55110-140-8
The Day of the Twelve Story Wave: Grinding Glaciers, Howling Hurricanes, Spewing Volcanoes, and Other Awesome Forces of Nature1995Laura CookLaura CookLongstreet Press1-56352-260-8

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

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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. Archived from the original on 2012-11-30. 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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