mail	Chilliwack, BC
web	www.fionabayrock.com Email: TOfiona@fionabayrock.com (without the "TO")

Biography

Fiona Bayrock has always enjoyed playing with words, but was well into adulthood before discovering her passion for science. She studied business at university and completed a Commerce Degree (University of British Columbia) before realizing she was far more interested in why something is the way it is than managing the profits from it. She returned to university to study science and hasn't been in a boardroom since. She now spends her time writing---mostly way cool science---for children and young adults.

Fiona delights in untangling complicated ideas, relishes a good mystery, and is constantly in search of the Aha! She speaks to scientists around the world about all kinds of cool stuff, from palindromes, bats, and suckers, to chemistry and solar wind. She loves to share her findings with the most curious beings on the planet---kids. Her 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".

Fiona was born under the prairie sun, grew up with her toes in the Pacific Ocean, and threw snowballs north of 60 for many years. She currently lives with her husband and three kids in a forest on the side of a mountain in Chilliwack, British Columbia.

Book types: juvenile nonfiction, educational books

Guest speaker/presentation information

Fiona welcomes the opportunity to share her passion for science and writing through author visits and readings for grades K-7. She creates connections between science and language arts, with humor, fun, and hands-on activities.

For more information, see Fiona's website:

http://www.fionabayrock.com/schoolvisits.htm


Fiona also speaks to adults about writing. For info:

http://www.fionabayrock.com/speakingtoadults.htm

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

Presentation audience age groups: primary school, grades K-3, grades 4-6, grades 7-8, college/university/adult

Published work

Bubble Homes and Fish Farts - Charlesbridge, 2009
States of Matter: A Question and Answer Book - Capstone Press, 2006
Sound: A Question and Answer Book - Capstone Press, 2006
Literacy Place for the Early Years Books:
---Icebergs - Scholastic Canada, 2007
---Extreme Animals - Scholastic Canada, 2007
---What Am I? - Scholastic Canada, 2005
---Hop! Spring! Leap!: Animals that Jump - Scholastic Canada, 2005
---How Do Polar Bears Stay Warm? - Scholastic Canada, 2005
The Ocean Explorer's Handbook Scholastic (U.S), 2005
Six-book series (physical science) - Capstone Press 2007

Over 60 magazine articles, stories, and poems in magazines such as YESMag, KNOW, Odyssey, Highlights for Children, and WILD.

Awards & recognition

2008 - Bubble Homes and Fish Farts - A Junior Library Guild Selection
2004 - Martha Weston Award - Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
2002 - "BC Festival of the Arts" Juried selection