My books are available from Annick Press, Crabtree Publishing Co., Weigl Educational Publishers, Scholastic Canada and Amazon, or look for them at your local library.
Nonfiction
10 Routes That Crossed the World. Annick 2017
978-1-55451-876-0 hc, 978-1-55451-875-3 pb
10 grandes rutas del mundo.Ediciones Siruela, 2018
978-84-17308-14-8
Vivid storytelling brings to life famous roads, trails, and pathways that have played a significant role in human history. The Bering Strait, the Camino de Santiago, the Inca Trail, Chilkoot Trail, and the Serengeti migration trail, along with 5 other routes link past and present across the globe
Reviews
“Intriguing.” – School Library Journal
“10 Routes that Changed the World informs and also instils more wonder (and sometimes sorrow) at the world around us, and is indeed, as Richardson’s dedication hopes it would be, a book for those who blaze trails, and for the curious who follow them.” – CM Reviews
“More than a book of facts, it also inspires wonder at human ingenuity.” – Canadian Children’s Books News
“A mostly satisfying mix of history and geography for the curious armchair traveler” – Kirkus Reviews
10 Ships That Rocked the World Annick, 2015
978-1-55451-782-4 hc, 978-1-55451-781-7 pb
Ships have sailed through human history for thousands of years. Their dramatic voyages have brought cultures together in peace or conflict, played a role in wars and revolutions, transformed societies, and they have even changed the course of the world. Discover the crucial role ships played in some of history’s most significant dramas.
Golden Oak Award nomination, Ontario Library Association 2016
Reviews
“The intriguing stories of these ships draws the reader into a wider world of international exploration, war, revolution, and scientific discovery.” – National Reading Campaign
“Richardson shows a knack for including details that will fascinate middle school readers.” – Youth Services Book Review
“Highly readable . . . an excellent resource . . . a solid title for any school and public library.” – CM Reviews
“…contains a lot of information and could be used in a world history course to highlight the role that ships played in exploration and various other developments through the course of time.” – Resource Links
10 Plants That Shook the World. Annick, 2013
978-1-55451-445-8 hc, 978-1-55451-444-1 pb
10 plantas que cambiaron el mundo. Ediciones Siruela, 2014
978-84-16120-63-5
Plants come into our lives in unexpected ways, even playing exciting roles in history. Discover how countries went to war over pepper, how a grass called papyrus made it possible to share knowledge through writing, and how cotton improved the livelihoods of a few, but caused unthinkable suffering for many more. Discover ten plants that are the source of profound changes in the world, both good and bad. Without them, our lives today would be vastly different.
Winner – Green Book Festival Award 2014
Winner – de Bary Children’s Science Book Award 2014
Winner – EUREKA! Nonfiction Children’s Book Awards, California Reading Association 2013
Cybils Award nomination 2014
Next Generation Indie Book Award finalist 2013
Best Books for Kids and Teens, starred selection, Canadian Children’s Book Centre 2013
Reviews
“An intriguing and well-designed study of the ways plants have helped start wars, cure diseases, and advance technology.” Publishers Weekly *starred review
“The beautiful balance between straight expository (fact based) text, creative nonfiction, lists and artwork found in this book is rarely accomplished so well.” – River Runs Through It
“Will be useful for reports and provide fun browsing and reading as well.” – School Library Journal
“Readers who took these plants for granted before may well not do so anymore.” – Kirkus Reviews
Kaboom! Explosions of All Kinds. Annick, 2009
978-1-55451-204-1 hc, 978-1-55451-203-4 pb
Kaboom! examines an amazing variety of explosions and the science behind them. From the Big Bang that created the universe to the “pop” of a seedpod, from solar flares to the explosive gases lurking in a coal mine, dramatic images and highlights describe momentous blasts in history—including the infamous Halifax explosion of 1917. Explosions are all around us!
Winner – Science Communication Award, American Institute of Physics 2010
Silver Birch Award nomination, Ontario Library Association 2010
Rocky Mountain Book Award nomination 2010
Red Cedar Information Book Award nomination 2010
Best Books for Kids & Teens, Canadian Children’s Book Centre 2010
Reviews
“Packed with information . . . Fun for browsing.” – Booklist
“Richardson’s writing style will appeal to readers. Educational and appealing. Highly recommended.” – CM Reviews
“An engrossing attention-getter, effectively tapping the sensationalism of all types of blasts.” – School Library Journal
“Deserves to be read for general interest as well as educative purposes; it is truly a blast.” – Resource Links
Mountain Extremes (Extreme Nature) Crabtree, 2009
Mountains have some of the most extreme weather on Earth. Discover the plants, animals and people who survive in this harsh environment.
Machu Picchu (Structural Wonders) Weigl, 2009
The ruins of Machu Picchu offer a glimpse into a rich culture of long ago. Explore its history, the people who built it and the science behind its construction.
Hiking (Outdoor Pursuits) Weigl, 2008
Hiking is a great way to explore nature and get fit. Find out about hiking skills, safe ways to hike and about exciting hiking routes around the world.
Henry Kelsey (Discovering Canada) Weigl, 2007
Discover the life and experiences of one of western Canada’s early explorers for the Hudson’s Bay Company, and the first European to see the Canadian Prairies.
Dan Gutman (My Favorite Writer) Weigl, 2006.
Get to know one of America’s popular writers of sports, humor and travel stories for kids.
Ecosystems (Science at Work/Science Q & A) Weigl, 2004, 2008
Find out how species occupy and share spaces in ways that maintain balance and biodiversity within Earth’s ecosystems
Saskatchewan (Hello Canada) Lerner, 1995
Canada’s prairie province, Saskatchewan, is more than farmland. Tour the rugged north, the big cities and meet people from many different backgrounds.
Canadian Children’s Book Centre “Our Choice” Award
PICTURE BOOKS
Ants Belong Outside Scholastic, 2007
Teresa thinks ants made great pets. All she has to do is feed them. Right?
Rag Doll Rescue Scholastic, 2007
Karin has found a new doll to love, but she thinks it belongs to someone else. What will she do?
Too Ba-a-ad! Scholastic, 2006.
A pig with wool! A sheep in mud! What’s going on in this farmyard?
CHAPTER BOOKS & NOVELS
A Friend for Mr. Granville Hodgepog Books, 1997
Trevor notices how Mr. Granville just sits in his chair at the senior’s home and stares out the window…until he sees a dog playing outside. Would Mr. Granville be happier if he had a dog? Trevor comes up with a plan…but not everyone agrees it will work.
Canadian Children’s Book Centre “Our Choice” Award
Bryce on Track. Scholastic, 2007
Bryce wishes he could keep up with his friends, and didn’t feel so tired, hungry and thirsty all the time. He isn’t sure what’s wrong, but doesn’t expect to wind up in hospital. Or to learn that he has diabetes.
The Migration of Robyn Birchwood. Nimbus, 1991
Moving from a country home in PEI to the prairie city of Regina is the last thing Robyn wants. She’s prepared to make the worst of it, until she meets a new friend who shares her love of nature.
Reviews
“[Richardson] excels in creating a strong sense of place. Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan are both painted in colourful, realistic and vibrant terms. The author’s own knowledge and appreciation of wildlife are strikingly evident. Her descriptions of the Island’s birds and lupines are balanced by the portrayals of prairie deer and sandhill cranes. This book should appeal especially to nature lovers.” CM Review
“Beautiful story. Moving away from the familiar to the unknown is never easy. Robyn finds out that first impressions do not always give the right story. Her longing for the familiar blends well with the seasons of migrating birds. Some of the birds she recognizes were familiar already in the place she left behind.” Lisa Enqvist
One Chance to Win. Ragweed Press, 1986
The prize in a photography contest is a brand new camera—exactly what Wink wants. But how will he get the money to pay for film? A job helping at a dog kennel seems to be the answer, until an unexpected event shows Wink what is most important.
Canadian Children’s Book Centre “Our Choice” Award
Gillian Richardson...naturally 