Noonan, Diana 1960-

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NOONAN, Diana 1960-

PERSONAL:

Born January 7, 1960, in Dunedin, New Zealand; daughter of Valerie Popham; married Keith Olsen (an artist), 1984; children: one son. Ethnicity: "European." Education: Attended Auckland Secondary Teachers College; University of Otago, B.A., 1980. Religion: Christian. Hobbies and other interests: Swimming.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Catlins, New Zealand. Agent—Richards Literary Agency, P.O. Box 31240, Milford, Auckland, New Zealand.

CAREER:

Writer and educator. Worked as a secondary school teacher prior to 1986. Full-time writer, 1986—; editor, New Zealand School Journal, 1996—. Writer-in-residence, Dunedin College of Education, 1993. Received two writing bursaries from Creative New Zealand.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council Children's Writer Bursary, 1991; White Raven Award, International Library of Munich, 1992, for Leaving the Snow Country and 1993, for A Sonnet for the City; AIM Children's Book Award for junior fiction, 1994, for A Dolphin in the Bay; AIM Children's Book Award for picture books, 1995, for The Best-Loved Bear; New Zealand Library and Information Association Book Award for nonfiction, 1997, for I Spy Wildlife: The Field; New Zealand Post Children's Book Award for nonfiction, 1998, for The Know, Sow, and Grow Kids' Book of Plants.

WRITINGS:

The Silent People, John McIndoe (Dunedin, New Zealand), 1990.

Leaving the Snow Country, John McIndoe (Dunedin, New Zealand), 1991.

A Sonnet for the City, John McIndoe (Dunedin, New Zealand), 1992.

The Bump, illustrated by Lyn Kreigler, Murdoch Books (North Sydney, Australia), 1992.

Oswald Bear's Night by the Sea, illustrated by Bryan Pollard, Murdoch Books (Sydney, Australia), 1992.

Right Now, illustrated by Trevor Pye, Murdoch Books (North Sydney, Australia), 1992.

The Dragon's Egg, illustrated by Gabriela Klepatski, Murdoch Books (North Sydney, Australia), 1992.

Trees Belong to Everyone, illustrated by Liz Dodson, Shortland Publications (Auckland, New Zealand), 1992.

Listening in Bed, illustrated by Warren Crossett, Nelson Price Milburn (Petone, NZ), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1992.

The Super-Duper Sunflower Seeds, illustrated by Annie Quinn, Nelson Price Milburn (Petone, New Zealand), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1992.

A Storm on the Beach, illustrated by Betty Greenhatch, Nelson Price Milburn (Petone, NZ), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1992.

Out after Dark, illustrated by Mark Sofilas, Nelson Price Milburn (Petone, NZ), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1992.

Gladys and Max Love Bob, illustrated by Philip Webb, Nelson Price Milburn (Petone, NZ), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1992.

The Adventures of Greanwald: The Fish Are Jumping, illustrated by Tony Hadlow, Little Mammoth (Auckland, New Zealand), 1992.

What Would You Do?, illustrated by Mitch Vane, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1992.

The Last Steam Train, illustrated by Brent Putze, Ashton Scholastic (Auckland, New Zealand), 1992.

A Dolphin in the Bay, Omnibus (Norwood, South Australia), 1993.

Goodbye Toss, illustrated by Keith Olsen, HarperCollins (Auckland, New Zealand), 1993.

The Birthday Bicycle, illustrated by Sandra Cammell, Murdoch Books (North Sydney, Australia), 1993.

Who's Maxwell?, illustrated by Kevin Hawley, Murdoch Books (North Sydney, Australia), 1993.

A Crocodile to Tea, illustrated by Clive Taylor, Murdoch Books (North Sydney, Australia), 1993.

Baby and Me, illustrated by Trevor Pye, Murdoch Books (North Sydney, Australia), 1993.

Old Teeth, New Teeth (also see below), illustrated by Clare Bowes, Lands End (Wellington, New Zealand), 1993.

The Teddy Snatcher, illustrated by Gabriela Klepatski, Murdoch Books (North Sydney, Australia), 1993.

Where Is My Caterpillar? (also see below), illustrated by Isobel Lowe, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1993.

Porridge, illustrated by Trevor Pye, Lands End (Wellington, New Zealand), 1993.

If You Like Strawberries, Don't Read This Book, photographs by Michelle Moir, Shortland Publications (Auckland, New Zealand), 1993.

Everybody Eats Bread, photographs by Peter Garland, Shortland Publications (Auckland, New Zealand), 1993.

Skin, Skin (also see below), Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1993.

Fly Away Home (also see below), illustrated by Audrie Leslie, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1993.

Food Trappers (also see below), illustrated by John Parsons, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1993.

The Big Roundup (also see below), illustrated by Mark Coote, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1993.

Bird Beaks (also see below), illustrated by Veronica Alkema, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1993.

Hide & Seek (also see below), illustrated by Audrie Leslie, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1993.

Hay Making (also see below), illustrated by Mark Coote, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1993.

Milking (also see below), illustrated by Julie McCormack, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1993.

My Friend Jess (also see below), illustrated by Clare Bowes, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1993.

I Spy (also see below), illustrated by Astrid Matijasevic, Applecross (Auckland, New Zealand), 1993.

The Old Green Machine, illustrated by Carlos Freire, Applecross (Auckland, New Zealand), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1993.

The Whaler's Garden, John McIndoe (Dunedin, New Zealand), 1994.

Room Four at Cattle Creek, HarperCollins (Auckland, New Zealand), 1994.

The Deer, Ashton Scholastic (Auckland, New Zealand), 1994.

The Best-Loved Bear, illustrated by Elizabeth Fuller, Ashton Scholastic (Auckland, New Zealand), 1994.

Kangaroo Bill and the Forest behind the Bay, Reed (Auckland, New Zealand), 1994.

Fat Cat Tompkin, illustrated by Craig Smith, SRA School Group (Santa Rosa, CA), 1994.

Shooting It Straight, photographs by Audrie Leslie, SRA School Group (Santa Rosa, CA), 1994.

Donkeys, illustrated by Don Black, SRA School Group (Santa Rosa, CA), 1994.

Houses That Move, illustrated by Don Black, SRA School Group (Santa Rosa, CA), 1994.

I Spy a Fly (also see below), illustrated by Nic Bishop, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1994.

On the Move (also see below), illustrated by Nic Bishop, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1994.

(With Keith Olsen) Let's Look after Our World, Applecross (Auckland, NZ), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1994.

From Camel Cart to Canoe: Transportation in India and Nepal, photographs by Chloe Dear, Applecross (Auckland, New Zealand), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1994.

A Touch of Jungle Fever, HarperCollins (Auckland, New Zealand), 1995.

Sleeping, Dreaming (also see below), illustrated by Caroline Campbell, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1995.

Dazzling Miss Dynamo Dials for Help, illustrated by Philip Webb, Telecom New Zealand (Wellington, New Zealand), 1995.

The Lunchbox, illustrated by Philip Webb, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1995.

A Cupboard Full of Summer, illustrated by Christine Ross, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1995.

Olivia Agnew's Wild Imagination (also see below), illustrated by Sarah Farman, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1995.

Storm! (also see below), illustrated by Julie McCormack, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1995.

Our Solar System (also see below), illustrated by Christine Tate, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1995.

The Burglar's Ball (also see below), illustrated by Lyn Kriegler, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1995.

Danny to the Rescue, HarperCollins (Auckland, New Zealand), 1995.

Packing (also see below), illustrated by Caroline Campbell, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1995.

Feed Me!, illustrated by John Bennett, Murdoch Books (North Sydney, Australia), 1995.

Birds' Nests (also see below), illustrated by Paul Gay, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1995.

The Picnic (also see below), illustrated by Rick Youmans, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1995.

Potatoes, Potatoes (also see below), illustrated by Donna McKenna, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1995.

Stop!, illustrated by Nicola Belsham, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1995.

A Writer's Work, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1995.

My Story, illustrated by Andrea Jaretzki, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1995.

Don't Throw It Away, illustrated by Donna McKenna, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1995.

Amazing Maps, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1995.

Bird-Watcher, illustrated by Jan van der Voo, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1995.

Bludger, illustrated by Brent Putze, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1995.

Traffic Light Sandwich, illustrated by Marjory Gardner, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1995, Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1996.

Dear Tom, illustrated by Fifi Colston, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1995, Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1996.

Donkey Work, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1995, Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1996.

Rockets, illustrated by Peter Campbell, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1995.

All about Bicycles, Wendy Pye Group (Auckland, New Zealand), 1995, Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1996.

The Giant's Stew, illustrated by Johanna Voss, Wendy Pye Group (Auckland, New Zealand), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1995.

I Know That Tune! (also see below), illustrated by Fraser Williamson, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1996.

I Spy Wildlife, Heinemann Education (Auckland, New Zealand), 1996.

Hercules, Omnibus (Norwood, South Australia), 1996.

The Farmer's Journey: A Greek Fable, illustrated by Vivi Escriva, Celebration Press (Glenview, IL), 1996.

Whizz! Click!, illustrated by Philip Webb, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1996.

The Biggest Bear in the Woods, illustrated by Dorothy Donahue, Celebration Press (Glenview, IL), 1996.

Hello, Dad!, illustrated by Annabel Craighead, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1996.

A House with Character,, illustrated by Keith Olsen, Rigby Heinemann (Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia), 1996.

What If—?, illustrated by Jan van der Voo, Murdoch Books (North Sydney, Australia), 1996.

Why Cry?, illustrated by Jacqui Thomas, Wendy Pye Group (Auckland, New Zealand), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1996.

Animal Inventions, Wendy Pye Group (Auckland, New Zealand), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1996.

A Name Garden, illustrated by Toni Goffe, Wendy Pye Group (Auckland, New Zealand), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1996.

Lift Off!, illustrated by Scott Kennedy, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1996.

What's Up?, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1996.

The Great Bean Race, illustrated by Christine Ross, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1996.

Too Little, illustrated by Christine Ross, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1996.

The Tricky, Sticky Problem, illustrated by Christine Ross, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1996.

Up Went Edmond, illustrated by Jennifer Lautusi, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1996.

Wild Cats (also see below), illustrated by Julie McCormack, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1996.

A Silent World, illustrated by Bryan Pollard, Shortland Publications (Auckland, New Zealand), 1996.

Open It!, photography by Michael Overend, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1996.

Our Car, illustrated by Nick Price, Wendy Pye Group (Auckland, New Zealand), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1996.

A Fire at the Zoo, illustrated by Terry Burton, Wendy Pye Group (Auckland, New Zealand), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1996.

An Elephant for the Holidays, illustrated by Paolo Bellini, Wendy Pye Group (Auckland, New Zealand), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1996.

After the Dinosaurs, illustrated by Geoffrey Cox, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1996.

We All Play Sports, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1996.

Time for a Change, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1996.

Mrs. Barnett's Birthday, illustrated by Celia Canning, Wendy Pye Group (Auckland, New Zealand), Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1996.

Making Friends, illustrated by Helen Casey, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1996, Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1997.

The Picnic in the Sky, illustrated by Clive Taylor, Lands End (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), 1996, Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1997.

The Birthday Sleep-Over, photographs by Dean Zillwood, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1997.

The Know, Sow, and Grow Kids' Book of Plants, Bridge Hill Publishing (Alexandra, New Zealand), 1997.

What about Bennie?, illustrated by Ralph Whirly, Shortland (Auckland, New Zealand), Rigby (Barrington, IL), 1997.

It's My Bread, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1997.

Stop That Noise!, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1997.

Snakes, Wendy Pye Group (Auckland, New Zealand), 1997, Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 1998.

Busking, illustrated by Kiki Ketcham-Neumann, Wendy Pye Group (Auckland, New Zealand), 1997.

Flora: A Friend for the Animals, Wendy Pye Group (Auckland, New Zealand), 1997, Wright Group (Bothell, WA), 2000.

Off We Go!, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1997.

Hedgehog Fun, photographs by Dean Zillwood, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1997.

My Chair, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1997.

Pedal Power, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1997.

Simple Solution!, illustrated by Bryan Pollard, Rigby (Barrington, IL), 1997.

My Nest, illustrated by Wendy Smith-Griswold, Celebration Press (White Plains, NY), 1997.

The Desert Machine (also see below), Wendy Pye Group (Auckland, New Zealand), 1997.

Under the City (also see below), Wendy Pye Group (Auckland, New Zealand), 1997.

Oh, No!, illustrated by Clare Bowes, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1998.

The Pyjama Hunt, illustrated by Christine Ross, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1998.

Rabbits in Space, illustrated by Andrew Geeson, Dominie Press (Carlsbad, CA), 1998.

The New Forest, illustrated by David House, Dominie Press (Carlsbad, CA), 1998.

The Grass Circles Mystery, illustrated by E. Silas Smith, Dominie Press (Carlsbad, CA), 1998.

King Glitter and the Stars, illustrated by David P. Smith, Dominie Press (Carlsbad, CA), 1998.

Not Enough Cupcakes, illustrated by Denise Elliott, Dominie Press (Carlsbad, CA), 1998.

Three, Two, One, Blast-Off!, illustrated by Deidre Grant, Dominie Press (Carlsbad, CA), 1998.

Two of Everything, illustrated by Denise Elliott, Dominie Press (Carlsbad, CA), 1998.

Who's Afraid of Shadows?, illustrated by Carol Daniel, Dominie Press (Carlsbad, CA), 1998.

The Best Birthday Gift Ever, illustrated by Elizabeth Sawyer, Dominie Press (Carlsbad, CA), 1998.

Beating the Drought ("Skyrider Yellow" series), Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1999.

Hang in There, Oscar Martin! ("Skyrider Blue" series), Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1999.

Lake Critter Journal, photographs by Nic Bishop, Longman (South Melbourne, Australia), 1999.

Double Switch ("Skyrider Blue" series), Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 1999.

McGinty's Friend, Rigby (Barrington, IL), 1999.

Mr. Merton's Vacation, illustrated by Paul Konye, Rigby (Barrington, IL), 1999.

Colour It My Way, photographs by Mary Foley, Shortland Publications (Auckland, New Zealand), published as Color It My Way, Rigby (Barrington, IL), 2000.

A Whistle from the Blunder, Longacre Press (Dunedin, New Zealand), 2000.

Dangerous Work, Heinemann Library (Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia), 2001.

Edmond Went Splash, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 2001.

(With Keith Olsen) What Is Recycling?, Wendy Pye Group (Auckland, New Zealand), 2001.

How Do You Say "Hello"?, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 2001.

Auntie Rosie & the Rabbit, illustrated by Christina Ross, Scholastic New Zealand (Auckland, New Zealand), 2002.

The Best-Dressed Bear (sequel to The Best-Loved Bear), Scholastic New Zealand (Auckland, New Zealand), 2002.

Don't Shout, illustrated by Karen Odiam, Learning Media (Wellington, New Zealand), 2003.

Also author of Deadbeat, Street Musician, and Oatmeal. Other titles by Noonan have been published in the United States by the Wright Group (Bothell, WA), including The Big Roundup, Bird Beaks, Birds' Nests, The Burglar's Ball, The Desert Machine, Fly Away Home, Food Trappers, Hay Making, Hide and Seek, I Know That Tune!, I Spy, I Spy a Fly, Milking, Storm!, Under the City, Where Is My Caterpillar, Wild Cats, My Friend Jess, Old Teeth, New Teeth, Olivia Agnew's Wild Imagination, On the Move, Our Solar System, Packing, The Picnic, Potatoes, Potatoes, Skin, Skin, and Sleeping, Dreaming. Contributor of short story to Personal Best, edited by Tessa Duder Tessa and P. McFarlane, Reed (Auckland, New Zealand), 1997.

"LIFE CYCLES" SERIES

The Green Turtle, Chelsea Clubhouse Books (Philadelphia, PA), 2003.

The Frog, Chelsea Clubhouse Books (Philadelphia, PA), 2003.

The Butterfly, Chelsea Clubhouse Books (Philadelphia, PA), 2003.

The Emperor Penguin, Chelsea Clubhouse Books (Philadelphia, PA), 2003.

The Kangaroo, Chelsea Clubhouse Books (Philadelphia, PA), 2003.

The Crocodile, Chelsea Clubhouse Books (Philadelphia, PA), 2003.

"I SPY WILDLIFE" SERIES; WITH NIC BISHOP

The Field, Heinemann Education (Auckland, New Zealand), 1995.

The Rocky Shore, Heinemann Education (Auckland, New Zealand), 1996.

The Pond, Heinemann Education (Auckland, New Zealand), 1996.

The Garden, Heinemann Education (Auckland, New Zealand), 1996.

SIDELIGHTS:

New Zealand-born writer Diana Noonan is a prolific and award-winning author of books for children and young readers with more than 100 volumes to her credit. Her works include young adult novels, picture books for beginning readers, and books for elementary school-age children.

Born in 1960, Noonan graduated from the University of Otago in 1980 with a degree in English and was awarded her teaching diploma in 1981. She taught secondary school for four years before becoming a full-time writer. Noonan originally wanted to be a painter; when she could not do it to her satisfaction, she turned to writing and "painted with words instead," she said in an interview on the Christchurch City Libraries Web site.

Noonan's "Life Cycles" series of books gives younger readers an introduction to a variety of wild animals, including frogs, butterflies, emperor penguins, green turtles, kangaroos, and crocodiles. Each book in the series includes a physical description of the animal and its habitat, types of food eaten, breeding cycle, and types of natural predators. The books also include information on human predators and threats to the animals and their environment. Hazel Rochman, writing in Booklist, called the "Life Cycles" series "an attractive series for group sharing as well as for first science reports."

Noonan demonstrates her skills at writing fiction in Hercules, the story of nine-year-old Sam who is facing the addition of a sibling to his family and the loss of his only-child status. When out exploring, Sam and his elderly neighbor Mabel find a pair of oyster catcher birds tending a nest containing two fragile eggs. Sam and Mabel become protectors of the birds and their eggs while anticipating the arrival of Sam's new sibling. The book addresses themes of human family relationships, wildlife conservation, and positive relationships with elders, observed Joan Zahnleiter in Magpies. "This is an elegantly crafted and designed book with something worthwhile to say on three levels," Zahnleiter commented.

In The Best-Loved Bear, Noonan's award-winning picture book effort, Tim's teacher, Mr. McDonald, organizes a Best-Loved Bear competition for the students in his class. He appoints Mrs. Hall, the headmistress, to be the judge, and the children begin their plans to enter their newest, most beautiful bears in the contest. Tim would very much like to see his bear, Toby, win, but the bear has seen better days. Toby is torn and ragged from all the attention Tim has given him. Tim does his best to clean and repair Toby, sewing up his ear, bandaging his nose, cleaning and fluffing his fur. But Tim's efforts can only accomplish so much for a toy worn almost to threads, and he ends up taking Toby to the competition hidden in a paper bag. The perceptive Mrs. Hall, however, can clearly see how well Toby has been loved and declares the worn but cherished toy the winner. "This endearing, gentle tale for pre-school and even older children who still cherish their battered old teds has a charm of its own," wrote Cynthia Anthony in Magpies. A Books for Keeps reviewer called it "a delightful story," while Julia Marriage, writing in School Librarian, called The Best-Loved Bear a "gentle story" and "a well-told tale" that will appeal to children with its heartfelt message that a toy worn out by love and attention can be "as precious as newer, smarter types."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

BOOKS

St. James Guide to Children's Writers, 5th Edition, St. James Press (Detroit, MI), 1999.

PERIODICALS

Australian Book Review, December, 1993, Stephen Matthews, "From the Word Go," review of A Dolphin in the Bay, pp. 69-70.

Booklist, January 1, 2003, Hazel Rochman, review of The Crocodile and The Kangaroo, p. 900.

Books for Keeps, September, 1995, review of The Best-Loved Bear, p. 9.

Junior Bookshelf, August, 1995, review of The Best-Loved Bear, p. 129.

Magpies, March, 1995, Cynthia Anthony, review of The Best-Loved Bear, p. 22; May, 1996, Joan Zahnleiter, review of Hercules, p. 39; March, 1997, review of I Spy Wildlife: The Garden, p. 2; March, 1997, review of I Spy Wildlife: The Rocky Shore, p. 2.

School Librarian, August, 1995, Julia Marriage, review of The Best-Loved Bear, p. 104.