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Diane Swanson

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Diane Swanson
Born(1944-04-05)5 April 1944
Lethbridge, Alberta
Died19 November 2021(2021-11-19) (aged 77)
NationalityCanadian
EducationUniversity of Alberta
OccupationAuthor
Children2

Diane Swanson (5 April 1944 - 19 Nov 2021) was a Canadian writer of science books for children.[1][2] She published over 70 books and was winner of several awards including Parents' Choice Award, Mid-America Publishers Association Award and Orbis Pictus Award.[3]

Biography

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Swanson was born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta.[4] As a child, she and her terrier Sammy would spend summers looking for ladybugs and spiders outside.[5]

She graduated from the University of Alberta with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in the social sciences.[2][4] She taught in the West Indies for two years.[4] She researched water resources for the Canadian government while living in Ottawa.[4]

Swanson's first book was published when she was 18.[2] She wrote over 70 books and 450 magazine articles.[4]

Swanson lived in Victoria, British Columbia.[4] Her hobbies were hiking, piano-playing, and reading.[2] She was married with two children.[6]

Reception

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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".[7] Booklist called it "part science and part English lesson", deeming it "great for individual or classroom consumption".[8]

The Globe and Mail called The Wonder in Water a "well-laid-out and attractively illustrated book".[9]

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".[10] 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.[11] School Library Journal, however, tagged it as "excellent in relation to other titles on the same subject".[12]

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.[13] Booklist called it "a useful resource for middle-graders".[14]

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."[15] Resource Links found the series to provide "enough information to satisfy [students'] curiosity while also meeting their research needs",[16] recommending the books "for any elementary school library".[17]

Published works

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Animals Can Be So ... series

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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

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

Mysterious You series

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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

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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

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

Up Close series

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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

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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

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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

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Swanson was recipient of the following awards:[18]

Year Book Award Result
1993 The Emerald Sea Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award Short-listed
1994 Bill Duthie Booksellers' Choice Award Short-listed
B.C. Book Prizes Short-listed
1995 Why Seals Blow Their Noses Mid-America Publishers Association Awards Winner - Best Illustrated Book, one Color
Safari Beneath the Sea Orbis Pictus Award[19] Winner - Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
Coyotes in the Crosswalk Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award Short-listed
Safari Beneath the Sea Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children[20] Winner
Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award Short-listed
1995-96 Utah Children's Informational Book Award[21] Short-listed
1996 Coyotes in the Crosswalk Silver Birch Award Short-listed
1997 Buffalo Sunrise Silver Birch Award[22] Short-listed
Safari Beneath the Sea Garden State (New Jersey) Children's Book Award Short-listed
1997-98 Sky Dancers B.C. Red Cedar Book Award Short-listed
1998 Buffalo Sunrise International Reading Association's Young Adult Choice Award Short-listed
Bug Bites Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award Short-listed
Ontario Silver Birch Award Short-listed
Welcome to the World of Bears Parents' Choice Award, US Winner
Welcome to the World of Otters Parents' Choice Award, US Winner
1999 Animals Eat the Weirdest Things Mr. Christie's Book Award[23] Short-listed
Ontario Silver Birch Award Short-listed
Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award Short-listed
1999-2000 Bug Bites B.C. Red Cedar Book Award Short-listed
2000 Welcome to the World of Moose B.C. 2000 Book Award
Welcome to the World of Beavers
Welcome to the World of Skunks
Welcome to the World of Porcupines
2000-01 Animals Eat the Weirdest Things B.C. Red Cedar Book Award[24] Short-listed
2001 Rocky Mountain Book Award Short-listed
White Raven Los Angeles' 100 Best Books
2002 White Raven Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA), American Library Association Non-fiction honor list
Hm? Ontario Silver Birch Award Short-listed
Informal Education Product of the Year Award for Linguistic Intelligence Winner
Burp! Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award Short-listed
White Raven Science in Society Award Short-listed
2002-03 Burp! Rocky Mountain Award Short-listed
Burp! Atlantic Provinces Hackmatack Award[25] Short-listed
Hm? Ontario Silver Birch Award Short-listed
2003-04 Hm? B.C. Red Cedar Book Award Short-listed
Up Close: Skin That Slimes and Scares B.C. Red Cedar Book Award Short-listed
Nibbling on Einstein's Brain B.C. Red Cedar Book Award Short-listed
2004-05 Tunnels! True stories from the edge Hackmatack Award[26] Winner
2006-07 The Wonder in Water Silver Birch Award Short-listed
Turn It Loose Red Cedar Award Short-listed
2008 Bugs Up Close Silver Birch Express Award Finalist
Bugs Up Close Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award[27] Finalist

Other memberships

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CWILL B.C. Canadian Children's Book Centre

References

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  1. ^ "Swanson, Diane, 1944–2021”. Library of Congress Authorities. Retrieved 2015-03-19.
  2. ^ a b c d "Diane Swanson – Author". Kids Can Press (kidscanpress.com). Q & A. Retrieved 2015-03-19.
  3. ^ "NCTE ORBIS PICTUS AWARD" (PDF). ncte.org. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Diane Swanson – Author". Kids Can Press (kidscanpress.com). Biography. Retrieved 2015-03-19.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "Diane Swanson". Annick Press. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  7. ^ Perren, Susan (2006-10-21). "Children's Books". Globe and Mail. Toronto: Bell Globemedia. p. D26.
  8. ^ Zvirin, Stephanie (2007-01-01). "A Crash of Rhinos, A Party of Jays: The Wacky Ways We Name Animal Groups". Booklist. 103 (9–10). American Library Association: 112.
  9. ^ Perren, Susan (2005-10-22). "Children's Books". Globe and Mail. Toronto: Bell Globemedia. p. D22.
  10. ^ Xiong, Nzong (2002-06-03). "Brush kids' fears away". The Freson Bee. Fresno, CA. p. E1.
  11. ^ Cohen, Nancy (October 2002). "The Dentist and You. (Non-Fiction: Preschool–Grade 6)". Resource Links. 8 (1): 23.
  12. ^ Moesch, Christine A. (June 2002). "Swanson, Diane. The Dentist & You". School Library Journal. 48 (6): 126.
  13. ^ Faust, Susan (1996-04-28). "How the West was Run". San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco. p. 14.
  14. ^ Sherman, Chris (1996-05-01). "Buffalo Sunrise: The story of a North American giant". Booklist. 92 (17). American Library Association: 1504.
  15. ^ Marshall, Arwen (September 2004). "Swanson, Diane. Alligators and Crocodiles". School Library Journal. 50 (9): 194.
  16. ^ Jollimore, Karen (December 1998). "Welcome to the world series—raccoons". Resource Links. 4 (2): 11–12.
  17. ^ "Whales". Resource Links. 2 (3): 122. February 1997.
  18. ^ "Swanson, Diane". abcbookworld.com. Retrieved 2025-04-09.
  19. ^ "Welcome to the world of spirit bears". BC Books for BC Schools. Vancouver, Canada: Association of Book Publishers of British Columbia. 2007–2008. p. 7.
  20. ^ "NCTE ORBIS PICTUS AWARD" (PDF). ncte.org. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  21. ^ Marilou Sorensen (1995-03-21). "LIT GROUP POSTS READING LISTS FOR KIDS". deseret.com. Retrieved 2025-04-09.
  22. ^ "Ontario Library Association Silver Birch Award". www.canadianauthors.net. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  23. ^ "The Balloon Sailors". www.biblio.com. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  24. ^ "Red Cedar Book Award". School Libraries in Canada (Vol. 20 No. 3 ed.). insert: Canadian School Libraries Association. 2020. p. 21.
  25. ^ "2003 Hackmatack Award" (PDF). hackmatack.ca. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  26. ^ "English awards". www.collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  27. ^ "VANCOUVER CHILDREN'S LITERATURE ROUNDTABLE". www.vclr.ca. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
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