Born in New York City on September 11, 1940, Sue Ann Alderson attended University of California (Berkeley) and moved to Vancouver in 1967 to teach at SFU, then taught at Capilano College. In 1980, she was the initiator and sole instructor for UBC's Writing for Children program where she was influential in encouraging Shirley Sterling to write her award-winning first book, My Name is Seepeetza (1992). Other students have also credited her as a mentor. She is most widely-known for her successful 'Bonnie McSmithers' series of kids' books. Her Ida and the Wool Smugglers is about sheep-rustling on Saltspring Island. The sequel, A Ride for Martha, is illustrated by Ann Blades and depicts a multicultural Saltspring Island at the turn of the century. Her poetry for adults has appeared in The Stinging Fly, The New Quarterly, The Antigonish Review, West Coast Review and New West Writing. Alderson's book about the Camosun Bog, The Eco-Diary of Kiran Singer (Tradewind) has been awarded an ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award for Best Young Adult Book (presented at the American Library Association's annual conference in Anaheim, California in June, 2008). Each year the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recognizes books that feature an exemplary handling of subject matter pertaining to animals and the environment.

She lives in the Dunbar area of Vancouver where she has become increasingly active as an abstract painter.

BOOKS:

The Eco-Diary of Kiran Singer with illos by Millie Ballance (Tradewind 2007 $18.95) 978-1-896580-47-0
Wherever Bears Be (Tradewind Books/Tricycle Press, 1999). Picture book illustrated by Arden Johnson
Pond Seasons (Groundwood, 1997) - picture book
Ten Mondays For Lots of Boxes (Ronsdale Press, 1995) - picture book illustrations by Caddie T'Kenye
A Ride for Martha Groundwood Press 1993).
Sure as Strawberries. (Northern Lights, 1992).
Bonnie McSmithers Is At It Again (Tree Frog Press)
Hurry Up Bonnie (Tree Frog Press)
Chapter One (General, 1990) - young adult novel
Bonnie McSmithers, You're Driving me Dither (Tree Frog Press/Groundwood, 1990).
Ida and the Wool Smuggler (Groundwood Books, 1987; Atheneum, 1988).
Comet's Tale (Tree Frog Press l983)- juvenile novel
The Not Impossible Summer (Clarke, Irwin l983)- juvenile novel
Maybe You Had To Be There, By Duncan (Polestar Press 1989) - juvenile novel
The Something In Thurlow Darby's House (Ginn & Co., l984)
The Finding Princess (Fforbez)
The Adventures of Prince Paul (Fforbez)

Awards:

Winner, ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award for Best Young Adult Book, 2008
Shortlisted, Sheila Egoff Award for A Ride for Martha, 1993.
Shortlisted, Mr. Christie's Award for Sure as Strawberries, 1992.
Shortlisted, Sheila Egoff Award for Sure as Strawberries, 1992.
Shortlisted, Sheila Egoff Award for Chapter One, 1990.

[Alan Twigg / BCBW 2008] "Kidlit"