mail	948 Canso Road Gabriola Island, BC V0R1X2
ph	250-247-0292
fax	250-247-0293
e	info@diannabonder.com
web	www.diannabonder.com

Biography

Dianna was born in Kamloops B.C. and as far back as she can remember, she has been drawing and writing stories of far away places and unimaginable characters. Inspired by the beauty of Alice in Wonderland, James and the Giant Peach, the quirky words of Shel Silverstein and the infamous Dr. Suess, Dianna has been inspired by some of the most unusual sources. Now, with the recent addition of her daughter Ekko, she has inspiration abound!!
After studying Fashion Illustration in Toronto she then went on to study Fine Arts, Illustration and Commercial Design. Shortly after, Dianna moved to Vancouver to work as a commercial artist which paved the road for her career as a children's illustrator.
"My mother nurtured the love of children's books in me...she taught elementary school and theatre and would often write children's stories for me to illustrate. As an only child I would spend hours colouring and drawing, so when my mother provided me with stories of her own to draw pictures for, I was over the moon!"
Dianna has recently moved with her husband Lee and daughter Ekko, 3 cats, 2 dogs and 1 ferret, to the serene, Gabriola Island, B.C. where the artist in her can flourish.

Book types: picture books

Guest speaker/presentation information

Are you interested in having me visit your school or library? Or perhaps you would like to have your students participate in an illustration workshop for the day? I travel continually throughout Canada to speak with school children and adults of all ages. I share my experiences in writing and illustrating for children's books, teach workshops and seminars on "How to illustrate a book" and for the very young, I bring my stories to life with animated readings filled with dance and funny voices! Here are just a few things others have to say about my visits....

"What an inspiring visit. We loved the work and have gone on to write, edit and illustrate our own tongue-twister alphabet books. Yur art work encouraged us to enjoy alphabet books once again."
Pat Straub-Lochside Elementary School

"Dianna was tuned into the students and spoke their language. This is a person who knows young children!"
Michele Weintz-Springvalley Elementary Scool

"Dianna's presentation was perfect for grade 2's. She gives an excellent presentation appropriate for primary children."
Darlene Elliott-St. Patrick's Elementary School

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: primary school, grades K-3, grades 4-6, grades 7-8, high school

Published work

A Pacific Alphabet-Whitecap Books-2001
Accidental Alphabet-Whitecap Books-2002
Three Royal Tales-Kids Can Press-2003
Digging Canadian Dinosaurs-Whitecap Books-2003
Leons Song-Fitzhenry & Whiteside-2004
Eleven Lazy Llamas-Whitecap Books-2005
Black and White Blanche-Fitzhenry & Whiteside-2006

Awards & recognition

2002-A Pacific Alphabet- Nominated for the Chocolate Lily Award
2004-A Pacific Alphabet-Recently selected by the Ministry of Education in British Columbia and 40,000 copies of the book were ordered to be distributed to children in public schools.
2004-Digging Canadian Dinosaurs-Nominated for the Saskatchewan Book Award
2005-Leons Song-Nominated for the Chocolate Lily Award and the Blue Spruce Award
2005-Eleven Lazy Llamas-Winner of Langley Christian School Picture Book of the Year-Readers Choice Award


Honors
2005-Illustrated original painting for the Maple Ridge Library 75th Anniversary
2004- Illustrated the BC Children's Library Summer Reading Program and Poster
2003-Accidental Alphabet illustrations were displayed at the Bologna Book Festival "DOCET" Exhibition