Bardoe, Cheryl

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Bardoe, Cheryl

Personal

Married; children: one son, one daughter. Education: Attended Northwestern University (journalism).

Addresses

Home and office—Chicago, IL. E-mail—[email protected].

Career

Writer. Field Museum, Chicago, IL, project manager.

Awards, Honors

Orbis Pictus Honor Book, National Council of Teachers of English, International Reading Association Notable Book designation, and American Library Association Notable Book designation, all 2007, all for Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas.

Writings

Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas, illustrated by Jos A. Smith, Abrams Books for Young Readers (New York, NY), 2006.

Sidelights

Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas is Cheryl Bardoe's first contribution to the children's nonfiction bookshelf. A biographical picture book, the work profiles the nineteenth-century friar who made important contributions to modern genetics. A Kirkus Reviews critic deemed the book a "lovely tribute" to Mendel that effectively flows from "hard science … to the vicissitudes of scholarship" in describing the accomplishments of a man who never received recognition for his contributions to the field of genetics during his lifetime. Stephanie Zvirin, writing in Booklist, commented on the visual appeal of the book, adding that Mendel's "theories, are clearly explained" by the author. Likewise, School Library Journal contributor Patricia Manning acknowledged Bardoe's "readable text" and remarked that Gregor Mendel "is as much a treat for the eye as it is for the curious mind." Bardoe concludes her picture-book biography by adding an author's note that provides additional information for more science-minded readers.

Prior to writing for young readers, Bardoe used her writing skills in scripting marketing slogans, magazine articles, press kits, and newsletters for various industries. As part of her work at Chicago's Field Museum, she has also written texts for exhibitions and worked with colleagues to tell scientific and cultural stories in three-dimensional space. Having accomplished her goal of becoming a published writer, Bardoe noted on her home page that she views herself as "an ‘emerging author.’" "I can't offer the wisdom of someone who has written a library's worth of books but I have learned a few things so far," she added. "Grab any precious moment that you can," she noted, explaining that "eventually those rare gems will add up."