# Diane Swanson

Diane Swanson (born 5 April 1944, died 19 Nov 2021) was a Canadian writer of science books for children.

## Biography

Swanson was born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta. As a child, she and her terrier Sammy would spend summers looking for ladybugs and spiders outside.
She graduated from the University of Alberta with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in the social sciences. She taught in the West Indies for two years. She researched water resources for the Canadian government while living in Ottawa.
Swanson's first book was published when she was 18. She has written over 70 books and 450 magazine articles.
Swanson lived in Victoria, British Columbia. Her hobbies were hiking, piano-playing, and reading. She was married with two children.

## 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". Booklist called it "part science and part English lesson", deeming it "great for individual or classroom consumption".
The Globe and Mail called The Wonder in Water a "well-laid-out and attractively illustrated book".
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". 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. School Library Journal, however, tagged it as "excellent in relation to other titles on the same subject".
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. Booklist called it "a useful resource for middle-graders".
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." Resource Links found the series to provide "enough information to satisfy [students'] curiosity while also meeting their research needs", recommending the books "for any elementary school library".

## Published works
### Animals Can Be So ... series

| Title | Published Date | 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 | 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 | 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)
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
* Short-listed, B.C. Red Cedar Book Award, 2000/2001
* Short-listed, Mr. Christie's Book Award, 1999
* Short-listed, Ontario Silver Birch Award, 1999
* Short-listed, Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award, 1999
Bug Bites (Whitecap Books, 1997, illustrated by the Royal British Columbia Museum)
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
* Short-listed, B.C. Red Cedar Book Award, 1999/2000
* Short-listed, Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award, 1998
* Short-listed, Ontario Silver Birch Award, 1998
Buffalo Sunrise (Whitecap Books and Sierra Club Books for Children, 1996)
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
* Short-listed, International Reading Association's Young Adult Choice Award, 1998
* Short-listed, Ontario Silver Birch Award, 1997
The Day of the Twelve-Story Wave (Whitecap Books/Longstreet Press, 1995, illus. by Laura Cook)
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
Sky Dancers (Whitecap Books and Voyageur Press, 1995, illustrated by Doug Penhale)
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
* Short-listed, B.C. Red Cedar Book Award, 1997/98
Safari Beneath the Sea (Whitecap Books & Sierra Club Books for Children, 1994, photography by the Royal British Columbia Museum)
* Winner, Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children (USA), 1995
* American Library Association Recommended Book for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
* Short-listed, Garden State (New Jersey) Children's Book Award, 1997
* Short-listed, Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award, 1995
* Short-listed, Utah Children's Informational Book Award, 1995–96
Coyotes in the Crosswalk (Whitecap Books, 1994 and Voyageur Press, 1995, illustrated by Doug Penhale); French edition: Attention! Coyote Au Carrefour (Heritage jeunesse, 1995)
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
* Short-listed, Ontario Silver Birch Award, 1996
* Short-listed, Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award, 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)
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
The Emerald Sea (Whitecap Books and Alaska Northwest Books, 1993, photography by Dale Sanders)
* Short-listed for the Bill Duthie Booksellers' Choice, B.C. Book Prizes, 1994
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)
* Winner, Best Illustrated Book, One Color, Mid-America Publishers Association Awards, 1995
* Short-listed, Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award, 1993
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
* Book-of-the-Month Club Selection
A Toothy Tongue and One Long Foot (Whitecap Books, 1992, 1993 and Bob Adams, 1994, illustrated by Warren Clark and Carolyn Swanson)
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
Welcome to the World series (Whitecap Books) Welcome to the World of Porcupines, 1999
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
* B.C. 2000 Book Award
Welcome to the World of Skunks, 1999
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
* B.C. 2000 Book Award
Welcome to the World of Beavers, 1999
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
* B.C. 2000 Book Award
Welcome to the World of Moose, 1999
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
* B.C. 2000 Book Award
Welcome to the World of Bats, 1998
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
Welcome to the World of Raccoons, 1998
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
Welcome to the World of Foxes, 1998
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
Welcome to the World of Eagles, 1998
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
Welcome to the World of Owls, 1997
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
Welcome to the World of Wild Cats, 1997
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
Welcome to the World of Bears, 1997
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
* Winner of a Parents' Choice Award, US, 1998
Welcome to the World of Otters, 1997
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
* Winner of a Parents' Choice Award, US, 1998
Welcome to the World of Wolves, 1996
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
* Book-of-the-Month Club Selection
Welcome to the World of Whales, 1996
* Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
* Book-of-the-Month Club Selection

## Other memberships

CWILL B.C. Canadian Children's Book Centre