Local children's author, Susan Stockdale, to speak at Literacy For All conference

Susan Stockdale might have begun her career painting landscapes and designing fabric, but her love of art soon turned her into a children’s author/illustrator. One day, in the early 1990s, Susan was visiting the zoo with her children, who were intrigued by a flamingo sleeping while standing on one leg. This everyday occurrence was the inspiration for her fist book, Some Sleep Standing Up.

Susan’s first book was soon followed by books such as the award-winning Fabulous Fishes, a beautifully illustrated story that takes young readers on an amazing underworld journey. Ms. Stockdale was also awarded a Parent’s Choice Award and Best Children’s Book of the Year Award for Carry Me! Animal Babies on the Move. This delightful book illustrates how some animals carry babies on their backs, others in pouches, and others on their shoulders. Interdisciplinary teacher guides are available for both of these award-winning books.

Susan spends time visiting schools and libraries presenting programs like Creating Nature Books for Children. When she is not writing, illustrating, or visiting students, Susan enjoys many activities in and around Baltimore: Visiting the National Aquarium, strolling on the Naval Academy campus, going to the Audubon Nature Fair, and hearing the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra are a few things that top her list! Susan is currently working on Bring on the Birds, which will be published in 2011. In this new book, Susan introduces children to 21 amazing birds from around the world.

Susan will be speaking about her creative process at the Literacy for All Conference on Youth Literature on March 27that Cecil College. This conference for parents, educators, librarians, and student will focus on creativity and encouraging a lifelong interest in reading and writing. The event is FREE and open to the public; pre-registration is recommended. For more information, contact Susan Bernadzikowski at 410-287-6060, ext. 316 or sbernadzikowski@cecil.edu.

Susan Stockdale will also be presenting on April 14 at the 2010 National Art Education Association Annual Convention held at the Hilton Baltimore from April 14-18.