Welcome!

   

   I'm Susan Stockdale, the author and illustrator of children's books about nature: 

Carry Me! Animal Babies on the Move

Nature's Paintbrush  

Some Sleep Standing Up 

Fabulous Fishes

and coming out in February, 2011...

Bring on the Birds

Here are some reviews of Fabulous Fishes:

"Every turn of the page reveals vivid paintings of exotic as well as common underwater creatures to delight all ages. If the paintings are the feast, Stockdale's words are the dessert."
                                                                                                             The Washington Post 

"Youngsters will tap their toes to the rhythm. An excellent teaching tool and an appealing introduction to the wide world of fish."    Kirkus Reviews

"An exciting way to prepare kids for a visit to the aquarium."  Booklist

"With creativity and accuracy unusual for an early primary book, this volume has earned an NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book for 2009 designation."
                                                                                  National Science Teachers Association

You can read The Washington Post article about how I created this book by clicking here:
Every Story Is a Picture: With 'Fabulous Fishes,' Stockdale Brings Underwater Creatures to Life

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Upcoming Events......

On Saturday, July 10, I'll sign books and sell prints of my book illustrations at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History Family Store in Washington, DC. 

On Thursday, July 15, I'll present a program and sign books at the The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida for its "Community Footprints" celebration. 

Then Fabulous Fishes makes a splash at the beach when I read and sign at Sundial Books in Chincoteague, Virginia on Saturday, August 7.

Check out my Appearance page for more details about these events.

What Else Is New?

I completed my next book, Bring on the Birds. It features 21 amazing birds from around the world. I researched some of them on a trip to the Galapagos Islands, where I got to see the blue-footed boobies perform their lively mating dance. I'm super excited about this book! Look for it in February 2011 from Peachtree Publishers.

Now I'm developing two picture book manuscripts about - what else? Nature! I'm focusing on patterns (reaching back to my days as a textile designer) on all kinds of animals. As always, I'm consulting with scientists at institutions like Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History as I develop my manuscripts. I'm always so grateful for the input of these experts. 

I'm volunteering as a children's docent at The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC., leading students and teachers on tours of the museum's permanent collection and special exhibitions. Working as a docent is pure pleasure for me, melding my love of painting and art history with my interest in exciting students about visual art. It's fun to be engaging children in a conversation about artwork other than my own (though I enjoy that, too) - especially when the paintings are by artists like Matisse, Renoir and Van Gogh.

Want to see me on TV?

Check out my appearance on Fairfax Network's "Meet the Author" Program. You can view four excerpts from the television show below or watch the 30-minute interview in its entirety on my Press page.

My research process  (2 minutes)
Illustrating in my studio (3 minutes)
Kindergarteners bring Fabulous Fishes to life (2 minutes)
Advice to Budding Author/Illustrators (30 seconds)    

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It's a joy for me to share my passion for writing and illustrating and to celebrate nature in my books and presentations. Please explore my website and contact me if you have any questions. I'm easy to reach at susan1797@aol.com.