Susan Stockdale
Susan Stockdale
I had a great childhood in my hometown of Miami, Florida. Playing outside with my friends, I was surrounded by lush vegetation, swaying palm trees and skittering lizards. I loved visiting the Parrot Jungle and was enchanted by the birds' bright, bold colors. My interest in animals - and my passion for pattern and color - began in these formative years.
During my childhood, my father was named Ambassador to Ireland, another wonderful place to live. The Irish landscape was green and sparkly, filled with cows, horses and other animals I'd never seen in tropical Miami. There were storybook castles and churches everywhere. I read about leprechauns in Irish folk stories and firmly believed in them!
I developed a love of words from my mother, a published poet. She would make up rhymes throughout the day and taught me that words could be fun and playful. She would be so pleased to know that I am writing books in verse today.
I majored in art at Occidental College in Los Angeles and studied in Spain during my junior year. After graduating, I freelanced as a textile designer for the apparel industry. It was thrilling to walk into department stores and see clothes featuring my patterned designs on display. I also painted fantasy landscapes which I exhibited in galleries and sold as note card and magazine covers.
After marrying and having a family, I enjoyed taking my kids to the zoo. During one visit, my children were amazed to see a flamingo standing on one leg - sound asleep. This incident inspired my first book, Some Sleep Standing Up, which explored the surprising ways in which animals sleep. Since then I've written and illustrated four more nature books, Bring On the Birds, Fabulous Fishes, Carry Me! Animal Babies on the Move, and Nature’s Paintbrush.
As an artist, I revel in the challenge of painting the smallest details of objects in nature, such as the spot of turquoise inside a peacock’s feather or the hair-thin spines of a lionfish. Working as a visual choreographer, I choose carefully where to place even the tiniest blade of grass in my illustrations.
As a nonfiction writer, I enjoy weaving together intriguing facts and lyrical verse. I am drawn to spare text and rhythm.
People often ask me why I produce children’s books focused on animals. To me, animals are the most beautiful and elegant of subjects, and I love to celebrate them with my young readers. Their quirky individuality provides me with the perfect opportunity to express my passion for color, pattern, and whimsy in both my writing and imagery. I feel very fortunate to do what I do!
My Book
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BRING ON THE BIRDS introduces young readers to both exotic and familiar birds in their natural habitats. A picture glossary identifies each bird and tells a little bit about its attributes and habitat. Peachtree Publishers/ISBN 978-1-56145-560-7/Ages 2- 6, $15.95 "Young naturalists will appreciate the variety of avian life rendered in Susan Stockdale's gently rhyming picture book, Bring On the Birds. ... likely to draw and hold the attention of unfledged young viewers. The images are often mesmerizing in their abstraction, inviting readers to pause and admire." Kirkus Reviews |
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FABULOUS FISHES introduces young readers to both exotic and familiar fishes and their underwater world. A picture glossary identifies each animal and tells a little about it and where it lives. Peachtree Publishers/ISBN 978-56145-429-7/Ages 2-6, $15.95 "Every turn of the page reveals vivid paintings of exotic as well as common underwater creatures to delight all ages. If her paintings are the feast, Stockdale’s words are the dessert.” The Washington Post Awards
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CARRY ME! ANIMAL BABIES ON THE MOVE examines how animal parents carry and care for their young all around the world. Peachtree Publishers/ISBN 1-56145-328-5/Ages 2- 6/$15.95 Paperback version: Peachtree Publishers/ ISBN 1-56145-449-4/$7.95 "A beautifully sweet look at how babies are carried. Sure to become a calm and soothing bedtime favorite." Kirkus Reviews
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NATURE’S PAINTBRUSH explores how colors and patterns help living things survive. Simon & Schuster/ISBN: 0-689-81081-4/Ages 3-7/$16.95 “A stunning work that goes far beyond celebrating patterns in nature.” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Awards
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SOME SLEEP STANDING UP introduces children to the many ways in which animals sleep. Simon & Schuster/ISBN: 0-689-81081-4/Ages 3-7/$16.95 “Charming pictures…feature simple shapes often filled in with delightful design work that will appeal to young eyes." Booklist |
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For more information - including details on my presentations - visit the Guild's Speakers Bureau or www.susanstockdale.com.
