mail	3093 Heddle Road Nelson, BC V1L6M2
ph	250-825-4392
fax	250-825-4392
e	vbowers@shaw.ca
web	www.vivienbowers.com

Biography

Vivien Bowers is a veteran writer for children, with almost 30 years of experience writing prize-winning information books, educational textbooks, instructional materials, magazine articles, and cartoon scripts. Her style of non-fiction writing goes way beyond ‘just the facts’ – it’s also creative, funny and engaging. Bowers also writes books and magazine articles for adults. Born and raised in Vancouver, she now lives outside of Nelson, in the mountains of southeastern British Columbia. Her two sons are now grown – but are excellent writers! Whenever possible, Bowers escapes into the wilderness to ski, hike or canoe.

Book types: juvenile nonfiction

Guest speaker/presentation information

Vivien Bowers is available to do presentations focusing on any or all of her children's books. These are lively and interactive with lots of props. Volunteers from the audience help solve crimes (Crime Scene), become contestants in a wacky Wow Canada Contest, try tasting dulse from New Brunswick (Wow Canada!) and learn how hairy nose bots drive caribou to stampede. Contact Vivien at vbowers@shaw.ca for an information sheet on these readings.

Vivien also gives talks to adult audiences about her writing. She has been a feature speaker at library and school district conferences, Children's Literature Roundtable gatherings and book industry events. One prepared presentation is titled "Stop When Their Eyes Glaze Over: Presenting Information to Children."

Presentation geographic range: Vancouver, Coast, Lower Mainland, Gulf and Vancouver Islands, Thompson Okanagan, Northern British Columbia, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Kootenay Rockies, The Territories, Canada - beyond BC, USA

Presentation audience age groups: grades 4-6, college/university/adult

Published work

CHILDREN'S NON-FICTION
Wow Canada!
Only in Canada!
That's Very Canadian!
Crazy About Canada!
Crime Scene (earlier edition is called Crime Science): How Investigators Use Science to Track Down the Bad Guys

EDUCATIONAL:
Regular contributor to LesPlan publications: "What in the World?" and "Canadian Reader"
British Columbia ('Hello Canada' series)
Canada: Learning from the Past, Looking to the Future (co-authored)

ADULT NON-FICTION:
In the Path of an Avalanche

Awards & recognition

2006 Science Writers' Association 'Science in Society' children's book award for Crazy About Canada!
2005 Canadian Toy Testing Council Great Book Award for That's Very Canadian!
2002 Red Cedar Book Award for Wow Canada!
2002 Atlantic Provinces Hackmatack Children's Choice Award for Wow Canada!
2000 Information Book Award for Wow Canada!
2000 B.C. Book Prize (Sheila A. Egoff Award) for Wow Canada!
1998 Canadian Science Writers Association 'Science in Society' journalism award for Crime Science

Also a finalist for numerous other awards