Darlene R. Stilie (1942–) Biography

(Darlene Ruth Stille)

Personal

Born 1942, in Chicago, IL; Education: University of Illinois—Urbana, B.A., 1965. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Protestant. Hobbies and other interests: Travel, SCUBA diving.

Career

Encyclopedia Britannica, Chicago, IL, production editor, 1968–69; Compton's Encyclopedia, Chicago, IL, staff writer, 1969–71; World Book, Chicago, IL, senior editor, The Year Book, Science Year, 1971–78, managing editor, Science Year, 1978–91, executive editor, Annuals, 1991–2000, editor-in-chief, annual and online supplements, 2000–03; full-time writer, 2003–. Worked as a travel writer and Web design consultant for Envoy Travel, Inc.

Member

American Association for the Advancement of Science, Women Employed (chair, 1973–76).

Writings

Extraordinary Women Scientists ("Extraordinary People" series), Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1995.

Extraordinary Women of Medicine ("Extraordinary People" series), Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1997.

Jaguars ("First Report" series), Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2001.

Snakes ("First Report" series), Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2001.

(With Susan Heinrichs Gray) The White House ("Let's See Library—Our Nation" series), Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2001.

(With Dana Meachen Rau) The Statue of Liberty ("Let's See Library—Our Nation" series), Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2001.

Octopuses ("Sea Creatures" series), Heinemann Library (Chicago, IL), 2003.

Cheetahs ("First Report" series), Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2004.

"TRUE BOOKS" SERIES

Air Pollution, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1990.

Water Pollution, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1990.

Soil Erosion and Pollution, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1990.

The Greenhouse Effect, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1990.

The Ice Age, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1990.

Oil Spills, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1991.

Ozone Hole, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1991.

Space Craft, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1991.

The Circulatory System, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1997.

The Nervous System, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1997.

The Respiratory System, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1997.

Trains, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 1997.

Trucks, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 1997.

The Digestive System, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1997.

Deserts, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1999.

Tropical Rain Forest, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1999.

Wetlands, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1999.

Grasslands, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1999.

Oceans, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1999.

"LET'S SEE LIBRARY—COMMUNICATION" SERIES

Radio, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2001.

Satellite, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2001.

Telephones, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2001.

Television, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2001.

"SIMPLY SCIENCE" SERIES

Electricity, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2001.

Fall, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2001.

Winter, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2001.

Hot and Cold, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2001.

Magnets, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2001.

Sound, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2001.

Spring, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2001.

Summer, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2001.

Satellites, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2002.

Radio, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2002.

"TRANSPORTATION" SERIES

Airplanes, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 1997.

Helicopters, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1997.

Blimps, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1997.

Big Rigs, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2001.

Freight Trains, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2001.

Race Cars, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2002.

Tractors, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2002.

Police Cars, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2003.

Fire Trucks, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2003.

Boats, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2003.

Helicopters, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2004.

Bulldozers, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2004.

Submarines, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2004.

Space Shuttle, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2004.

Ships, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2004.

Motorcycles, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2004.

"AMAZING SCIENCE" SERIES

Matter: See It, Touch It, Taste It, Smell It, Picture Window Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2004.

Energy: Heat, Light, and Fuel, Picture Window Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2004.

Electricity: Bulbs, Batteries, and Sparks, Picture Window Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2004.

Temperature: Heating Up and Cooling Down, Picture Window Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2004.

Air: Outside, Inside, and All Around, Picture Window Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2004.

Motion: Push and Pull, Fast and Slow, Picture Window Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2004.

"OUR GALAXY AND BEYOND" SERIES

Mars, Child's World (Chanhassen, MN), 2004.

Earth, Child's World (Chanhassen, MN), 2004.

The Sun, Child's World (Chanhassen, MN), 2004.

Pluto, Child's World (Chanhassen, MN), 2004.

Neptune, Child's World (Chanhassen, MN), 2004.

Mercury, Child's World (Chanhassen, MN), 2004.

Uranus, Child's World (Chanhassen, MN), 2004.

"I LIVE IN THE OCEAN" SERIES

I Am a Whale: The Life of a Humpback Whale, illustrated by Todd Ouren, Picture Window Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2005.

I Am a Shark: The Life of a Hammerhead Shark, illustrated by Todd Ouren, Picture Window Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2005.

I Am a Seal: The Life of an Elephant Seal, illustrated by Todd Ouren, Picture Window Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2005.

I Am a Sea Turtle: The Life of a Green Sea Turtle, illustrated by Todd Ouren, Picture Window Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2005.

I Am a Fish: The Life of a Clown Fish, illustrated by Todd Ouren, Picture Window Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2005.

I Am a Dolphin: The Life of a Bottlenose Dolphin, illustrated by Todd Ouren, Picture Window Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2005.

"SCIENCE AROUND US" SERIES

Magnetism, Child's World (Chanhassen, MN), 2005.

Light, Child's World (Chanhassen, MN), 2005.

Energy, Child's World (Chanhassen, MN), 2005.

Electricity, Child's World (Chanhassen, MN), 2005.

Solids, Liquids, and Gases, Child's World (Chanhassen, MN), 2005.

Motion, Child's World (Chanhassen, MN), 2005.

Matter and Material, Child's World (Chanhassen, MN), 2005.

"EXPLORING SCIENCE" SERIES

Erosion: How Land Forms, How It Changes, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2005.

Soil: Digging into Earth's Vital Resource, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2005.

Plant Cells: The Building Blocks of Plants, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2005.

Natural Resources: Using and Protecting Earth's Supplies, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2005.

Minerals: From Apatite to Zinc, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2005.

Waves: Energy on the Move, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2005.

Physical Change: Reshaping Matter, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2006.

Manipulating Light: Reflection, Refraction, and Absorption, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2006.

Genetics: A Living Blueprint, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2006.

DNA: The Master of Molecule of Life, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2006.

Chemical Change: From Fireworks to Rust, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2006.

Animal Cells: The Smallest Units of Life, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2006.

"SIGNATURE LIVES" SERIES

Eva Peron, First Lady of Argentina, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2006.

Anne Hutchinson: Puritan Protester, Compass Point Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2006.

Sidelights

Darlene R. Stille's interest in science is reflected in most, if not all, of her nonfiction books for younger readers. As she once commented to SATA: "I became a science writer and editor largely because I could not become a doctor. I started out in premed in 1960. Medicine, at that time, was not very open to women—to say the least. One needed strong family support to go forth in that direction. My family was dead-set against the idea." "Fortunately," the author and editor added, "I had another love in addition to science: writing. I pursued a degree in English, went into the reference publishing field, and was soon able to put together my love of science and of words in science editing and writing." Among Stille's books for younger readers are titles such as Extraordinary Women Scientists as well as books in a number of nonfiction series.

In Extraordinary Women Scientists Stille focuses on women's role in science throughout history. The book features biographies of fifty important female scientist from various scientific disciplines, and includes information on women scientists from numerous countries. Margaret M. Hagel, writing in the School Library Journal, noted that while this work can be "used as a reference book,… it [also] introduces readers to the diversity of science." Her next book for the "Extraordinary People" series, titled Extraordinary Women of Medicine, Stille narrows her focus to present an overview of the history of medicine as well as highlighting women's achievements in that field. Like its companion volume, Extraordinary Women of Medicine also includes biogra-phies and covers various ethnic groups, such as Americans, African Americans, and Europeans. Reviewing the work for Booklist, Lauren Peterson noted that it contains a "wealth of information" presented in an "accessible format."

In Erosion: How Land Forms, How It Changes, a title from the "Exploring Science" series, Stille explores how elements of the environment contribute to natural erosion. The book features full-color illustrations that provide a quick source for pertinent data, while the text is directed toward older students. Booklist reviewer Carolyn Phelan remarked that Stille writes with a "straightforward approach" that addresses "the pros and cons of attempting to control erosion." The book also features a table of contents, graphs, an index, and a glossary. Other titles in the "Exploring Science" series include Waves: Energy on the Move, Manipulating Light: Reflection, Refraction, and Absorption, and Genetics: A Living Blueprint.

Stille surveys the realm of physical science in the "Science around Us," series which includes such titles as Magnetism, Energy, and Solids, Liquids, and Gases. John Peters reviewed the companion titles Energy and Solids, Liquids, and Gases for Booklist. The critic noted that the titles "ably introduce topics in the physical sciences," by describing how energy is made and by detailing the difference between solids, liquids, and gases. Both titles include full-color photographs, a list of suggested books, and links to the publisher's Web site, resources for further information on the topics.

Stille's scientific background is also evident in the books she has written for the "True Book" series published by Children's Press. Included among these is The Circulatory System, a book that presents basic information about the heart, flow of blood, and the function of lungs. As with her other books, Stille includes a glossary as well as a list of resources for more information. Another book is titled The Nervous System. Once again using simple language and diagrams, she explains the interaction between brain, nerves, and muscles. Reviewing this work for Booklist, Lauren Peterson noted that Stille does an "admirable" job of explaining a complex subject. Other titles by Stille for the "True Book" series include The Wetlands and Tropical Rain Forests. Both follow the familiar, simple format of her earlier books, focusing on basic facts about the topics under discussion accompanied by photographs and a list of resources for further study.

In addition to books on natural science, Stille has also written numerous titles for her "Transportation" series, including Airplanes and Trains. In both of these works, she includes information that will be relevant to schoolage children who are just beginning to write reports on various technological subjects. In addition to descriptions of planes and trains, both books also include photographs and a list of sources for further study. In Freight Trains and Race Cars Stille offers descriptions of an assortment of railway carriers and racing vehicles. Booklist reviewer Carolyn Phelan remarked that both titles "provide simple, solid information on the topics at hand." Other books in this series include Helicopters, Blimps, and Trucks.

Earth's solar system is explored in the "Our Galaxy and Beyond" series published by Child's World. Focusing on a single planet, each volume in the series introduces budding scientists to the solar system by describing the distinguishing features of that particular celestial body. The titles also provide historical backgrounds of the first astronomers as well as current NASA missions. John Peters, in School Library Journal, noted that the series contains fundamental information that is not "couched in generalities." Each title is further enhanced by full-color and archival photographs.

Stille delves into the oceanic world with such titles as I Am a Seal: The Life of the Elephant Sea, I Am a Shark: The Life of a Hammerhead Shark, and I Am a Whale: The Life of a Humpback Whale. All the titles are part of the "I Live in the Ocean" series published by Picture Window Books. Each title is narrated by an ocean animal who explains their diets, anatomy, and their daily activities. Cynde Suite, in School Library Journal, wrote that the "I Live in the Ocean" books are "perfect for young animal lovers."