Fiona Bayrock, Children's Author

www.fionabayrock.com


My Books About Me School Visits Speaking to Adults Contact Info Writing Advice Writing Portfolio Home			About Me I spent the summers of my youth in inflatable wading pools, cooling off from the dry prairie heat. Later, I lived in the subarctic, where it was so cold I could make snow by throwing water out the front door. I currently live in the middle of a forest on the side of a mountain in rural Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. It rains—a lot—but so far I haven’t developed webbed feet! Pacific tree frogs serenade from my pond each spring, raccoons steal my walnuts, and on a clear night I swear I can see a gazillion stars from my porch.

I’ve always enjoyed playing with words, but I was well into adulthood before discovering my passion for science. I studied business at university and completed a Commerce Degree (University of British Columbia) before I realized I was far more interested in why something is the way it is than managing the profits from it. Science rocks! Off I went for a dose of university science. I was---pardon the pun---in my element.

My goal is to inspire kids to ask questions about their world, to have them make connections and create their own Eureka! moments by ‘checking stuff out’. My writing is peppered with hands-on activities and simulations to make complicated concepts kid-friendly and easily understood.
I have fun with whatever I'm working on.

Amazing science is all around us. Every day, I share the small part that appears in my magnifying glass.

Awards

May 2002 - British Columbia Festival of the Arts - Literary Arts Section (children's writing) - one of 12 selected by jury, based on a piece of nonfiction writing.

April 2004 - Smartwriters.com Write It Now! Children's Writing Competition - Nonfiction Category - Book synopsis and first 1000 words, 3rd Place.

June 2004 - Martha Weston Award - Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)

Professional Affiliations

CANSCAIP - Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators & Performers

CWILL-BC - Children's Writers and Illustrators of British Columbia (Secretary)

SCBWI - Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators

Canadian Science Writers' Association

Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable

Yellowknife Children's Literature Roundtable (past member)

Articles & Interviews About Fiona

Insider Report: Fiona Bayrock - Earthquakes are like Rice Krispies: writing science for kids by Lauren Mosko 2004 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market (Alice Pope, ed., Writer's Digest Books pp.266-269)

Keeping Science Cool by Katie Robinson - The Progress p.14-15 November 18, 2005.

Science Class by Jenna Hauck - The Progress p.7 November 27, 2005

The Non-writing Me

I live with my car-nut husband in a busy house full of teenagers ...lots of laughter and laundry. When I'm not writing or spending time with family, I like to read (a lot) or get involved in the local community theatre scene. I've ushered, done box office, stage managed, been props mistress, and, from time to time, stepped onto stage.

Here I am (centre) as the Russian Grand Duchess, where I got to use a really cool accent. Da!...I knew that university Russian would come in handy one day.

Dogsledding in Alaska
(that's me in blue and one
of my editors in red!))

Click on the image for a larger view.

I attend and speak at
writer's conferences.
Children's writers are a
fun bunch! Here, Kelly Milner
Halls (right) and I dance
"The Swim".

I try to get out into the field as often as I can to see science in action and try things for myself. These are some photos of a hummingbird banding I helped with. Why are fewer hummingbirds returning from their migration? Scientists hope these bands will help them to find out.

I'm also an award-winning quiltmaker. I don't have much time for stitching these days, but many moons ago I did...even had a one-woman show once. If you're curious, you can see some of my quilts here.


To Fiona's Homepage	Text © 2005 Fiona Bayrock Art © 2005 Ruth McNally Barshaw All rights reserved. Last Updated: November 07, 2007 fiona @ fionabayrock.com (remove spaces)