Daigle, Evelyne 1965-

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Daigle, Evelyne 1965-

PERSONAL:

Born August 6, 1965, in Victoriaville, Québec, Canada, daughter of Pierre (a postmaster) and Denise Daigle; married Richard Sears (a biologist). Education: Université du Québec à Rimouski, B.A.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Saint-Lambert, Québec, Canada. Office—Biodome of Montreal, 4777 Pierre de Coubertin, Montreal, Québec H1V LB3, Canada. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Biologist and researcher. Biodome of Montreal, Montreal, Québec, Canada, environmental educator, 1992-2007.

WRITINGS:

As Long as There Are Whales, illustrated by Daniel Grenier, translated by Geneviéve Wright, Tundra Books (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), 2004.

The World of Penguins, illustrated by Daniel Grenier, translated by Geneviéve Wright, Tundra Books of Northern New York (Plattsburgh, NY), 2007.

SIDELIGHTS:

Evelyne Daigle is a Canadian biologist, researcher, and environmental educator. She also served as a research assistant for a project that studied whales in the St. Lawrence River and in Hawaii.

Daigle published her first book, As Long as There Are Whales, in 2004. Originally written in French, the book was translated by Geneviéve Wright and illustrated by Daniel Grenier. The book looks primarily at whales that inhabit Canada's St. Lawrence River. Daigle chronicles their migration patterns and reasons for visiting the river each year. She also gives a number of surprising historical facts about the large animals. Hilary Williamson, writing on the BookLoons Web site, found the section of the book on how whales create bubble nets "fascinating." Williamson concluded her review, saying that she "recommended As Long as There Are Whales to anyone interested in learning more about these amazing, enormous creatures." Williamson also noted that readers would "be tempted to take it with [them] on a St. Lawrence whale spotting trip this summer." Kathy Piehl, writing in School Library Journal, thought that the book contained "some value as a supplemental resource." Piehl also remarked that, despite being originally written in French, "the English translation flows fairly smoothly." Citing the books's "minimal" index and the lack of a glossary, Piehl advised that readers would want "to keep a dictionary" nearby. Writing in Resource Links, Carolyn Cutt noted that "this text should prove very useful for research projects" and for anyone "searching for some fascinating information." Cutt also stated: "Written in narrative form, the text is rich in facts yet entertaining, enticing the reader along."

In 2007 Daigle published The World of Penguins. Also illustrated by Daniel Grenier and translated by Geneviéve Wright, the book looks at the southern dwelling aquatic birds and their habitat and culture. Daigle covers their lifestyles, diet, predation, reproduction, and location. Writing in a CM Magazine review, Janice Foster said that the book "gives young readers a clear, comprehensive look at this fascinating southern seabird. It also connects written and pictorial informa- tion to the real life research of biologists such as the author." Patricia Manning, writing in School Library Journal, found the book "nicely illustrated," adding that the author's "text reads, in places, like a Cousteau-inspired script." Manning also took note of an included global distribution map of penguins, calling it "helpful." Manning concluded that The World of Penguins is "less detailed" compared to some accounts of penguins, but "contains more meat than" others. Kelley McGuire, writing in Resource Links, agreed that the penguin distribution map "is interesting and effective." McGuire also believed that the illustrations were "very beautiful." McGuire concluded that the book "would … be a good personal choice for children who have a fondness for penguins, or those who are interested in geography and wildlife." A contributor to the Midwest Book Review noted that the book contained "plenty" of easily accessible information for reader, making the overall feel of reading the book "inviting." The same contributor observed that the book "goes beyond most penguin surveys."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Canadian Geographic, May 1, 2004, Jessa Sinclair, review of As Long as There Are Whales, p. 134.

CM Magazine, Volume 13, number 14, Janice Foster, review of The World of Penguins.

Library Media Connection, January, 2005, Barbara B. Fechrer, review of As Long as There Are Whales, p. 87.

Midwest Book Review, May, 2004, review of As Long as There Are Whales, p. 7; June, 2007, review of The World of Penguins.

Resource Links, June, 2004, Carolyn Cutt, review of As Long as There Are Whales, p. 12; April, 2007, Kelley McGuire, review of The World of Penguins, p. 23.

School Library Journal, August, 2004, Kathy Piehl, review of As Long as There Are Whales, p. 134; May, 2007, Patricia Manning, review of The World of Penguins, p. 151.

United Church Observer, July 1, 2004, Sara Caissie, review of As Long as There Are Whales, p. 36.

Voice of Youth Advocates, December, 2004, review of As Long as There Are Whales, p. 413.