Storad, Conrad J. 1957-

PERSONAL:

Born July 19, 1957, in Barberton, OH; son of Conrad Sr. (a meat cutter) and Maryann (a homemaker) Storad; married Laurie Ann Snyder (an occupational therapy assistant), October 16, 1999; stepchildren: Sarah Bennett, Meghan Bennett. Ethnicity: "American." Education: University of Akron, B.A., 1979; Arizona State University, M.A., 1983. Politics: Independent. Religion: Roman Catholic.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Tempe, AZ. Office—Office of Research Publications, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 873803, Tempe, AZ 85287-3803; fax: 480-965-9684. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Barberton Herald, Barberton, OH, reporter and sports editor, 1979-80, editor and general manager, 1980-81; Kent State University, Kent, OH, feature and science writer, 1984-85; Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, editor of ASU Research magazine, 1986—, director, Office of Research Publications, 1989—, and editor of Chain Reaction (for younger readers), 1998—. National Cancer Institute, science/medical writing fellow, 1984.

MEMBER:

International Association of Business Communicators, National Association of Science Writers, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, University Research Magazine Association (president), Arizona Book Publishers Association, Arizona Reading Association.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Glyph Awards, Arizona Book Publishers' Association, best children's book, 1999, for Don't Call Me Pig! A Javelina Story, and best nature book, 1999, for Sonoran Desert A to Z Coloring Book; inducted into Walter Cronkite School of Journalism Hall of Fame, Arizona State University, 2000; named Arizona children's author of the year, Arizona Library Association, and Arizona Children's Book of the Year award, Arizona Book Publishing Association, 2001, and Arizona Governor's Book Choice Award, 2005, all for Don't Call Me Pig! A Javelina Story.

WRITINGS:

FOR YOUNG READERS

Saguaro Cactus, photographs by Paula Jansen, Lerner Publications (Minneapolis, MN), 1995.

Scorpions, photographs by Paula Jansen, Lerner Publications (Minneapolis, MN), 1995.

Sonoran Desert A to Z Coloring Book, Donna Atwood Designs (Phoenix, AZ), 1997.

Little Lords of the Desert, Donna Atwood Designs (Phoenix, AZ), 1998.

Tarantulas, photographs by Paula Jansen, Lerner Publications (Minneapolis, MN), 1998.

Inside AIDS: HIV Attacks the Immune System, Lerner Publications (Minneapolis, MN), 1998.

Lizards for Lunch: A Roadrunner's Tale, illustrated by Beth Neely and Don Rantz, Resort Gifts Unlimited (Phoenix, AZ), 1999.

Head over Heels about Arizona, Resort Gifts Unlimited (Tempe, AZ), 1999.

Don't Call Me Pig! A Javelina Story, illustrated by Beth Neely and Don Rantz, Resort Gifts Unlimited (Tempe, AZ), 1999.

Ancient Harvest, Donna Atwood Designs (Phoenix, AZ), 2000.

Flying Colors, Donna Atwood Designs (Phoenix, AZ), 2003.

Don't Ever Cross That Road! An Armadillo Story, illustrated by Nathaniel P. Jensen, Resort Gifts Unlimited (Tempe, AZ), 2003.

The Circulatory System, Lerner Publications (Minneapolis, MN), 2005.

Hippos, Lerner Publications (Minneapolis, MN), 2006.

Life in the Slow Lane: A Desert Tortoise Tale, Resort Gifts Unlimited (Tempe, AZ), 2006.

Desert Night Shift: A Pack Rat Story, Resort Gifts Unlimited (Tempe, AZ), 2006.

The Earth's Crust, Lerner Publications (Minneapolis, MN), 2007.

Meerkats, Lerner Publications (Minneapolis, MN), 2007.

SIDELIGHTS:

Conrad J. Storad writes science books for the children's market as an offshoot of his work as a magazine editor at Arizona State University. Many of his works for young readers reflect the unique desert environment of his adopted state. Storad studied journalism and environmental science at the University of Akron, then worked as reporter for his hometown newspaper in Ohio after college. A year later, he became the paper's editor and general manager. Deciding to pursue a graduate degree, he enrolled at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and earned a master's degree in science journalism. He has been with the institution since 1986. In 1998, he became the founding editor of a science magazine for middle-school students, Chain Reaction, also published by the university.

Storad has penned several books for young readers that investigate certain aspects of the unique ecosystem in the American Southwest. Among these is the 1995 title Saguaro Cactus, which lures readers on a learning journey by explaining just how unusual it is for any plant life to flourish in a part of the world that receives so little rain. Storad discusses why the saguaro cactus flowers only at night and the necessity of other flora present for it to flourish—especially during its early beginnings, when shade from palo verde trees and creosote bushes protect the cactus seedlings. A review from Steve Matthews in School Library Journal called it a book that is "inviting in appearance" and "fun to read."

Another title, Scorpions, for readers in the eight-to-ten age group, begins with a map and shows where these venomous creatures live. The text then notes what scorpions eat and who they must avoid to become prey themselves. Storad also explains how they care for their young. Color photographs, a glossary of new words, and an activity section for parents and teachers round out both this work and Tarantulas.

In Inside AIDS: HIV Attacks the Immune System, Storad recounts for junior-high and high-school readers the history of the disease, how it is detected, and its course of treatment. Tips for prevention are also included, but the book strives to emphasize the unusual world of viral cell biology for its audience. Storad explains how the HIV virus fools the body and tricks its cells, and how this becomes deadly to a person's immune system. Illustrations that include computer-generated images and microscope photographs of cells supplement the technical explanations in the text. Reviewers commended Inside AIDS for its detailed, scientific focus. Storad, wrote Edward Sullivan in a School Library Journal review, "does a good job of explaining technical facts clearly and concisely," while Booklist contributor Frances Bradburn noted that "in spite of its slight format, this book is surprisingly complex."

Other titles from Storad continue to explore his interest in the Arizona desert and its life forms.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Appraisal, April, 1994, review of Saguaro Cactus, pp. 61-62; April, 1995, review of Scorpions, pp. 67-68.

Booklist, December 15, 1998, Frances Bradburn, review of Inside AIDS: HIV Attacks the Immune System, p. 743.

Horn Book Guide, fall, 1998, Kelly A. Ault, review of Tarantulas, pp. 382-383.

School Library Journal, August, 1994, Steve Matthews, review of Saguaro Cactus, p. 166; June, 1995, Karey Wehner, review of Scorpions, pp. 125-126; July, 1998, Patricia Manning, review of Tarantulas, pp. 87-88; January, 1999, Edward Sullivan, review of Inside AIDS, p. 155.