Meet the Author
Susan Swift is an accomplished teacher and elementary librarian with a lifelong passion for children’s literature and a dream of writing books for kids. After graduating from the College of William and Mary, she relocated to the Northern Neck of Virginia to pursue her teaching career. Her son and her husband, a fourth-generation commercial waterman, inspired her to create her first and ongoing series, A Life of a Waterman. This series includes The ABCs of Oystering on the Chesapeake Bay, which follows her previous release, The ABCs of Crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay, published in 2024. Susan is dedicated to educating readers of all ages about commercial fishing on the Chesapeake Bay, while presenting each book in an interesting and fun ABC format. In her personal life, Susan is the proud mother of two grown children and a son-in-law, as well as a very spoiled yellow lab. She loves spending time with her family, reading, living on the Chesapeake Bay, and visiting the Outer Banks.
Details
Format: Hardcover, Paperback
ISBN Hardcover: 978-1-966369-01-1
ISBN Paperback: 978-1-966369-00-4
Pages: 36
Release date: 12/9/2025
Endorsements
As a lifelong outdoorsman and steward of the Chesapeake Bay, I’ve learned that the best guides are the ones that teach you to see the water with both curiosity and respect. Susan Swift’s ABCs of Oystering on the Chesapeake Bay does just that. It wonderfully details the work of watermen during the harvesting of oysters and presents the life on the docks with clarity, humility, and a genuine love for the Bay. It’s an accessible, eye-opening introduction to the industry—engaging for newcomers and enough depth for seasoned readers who want to refresh their understanding of sustainable oystering. This book captures the pulse of the shoreline and the craft of oystering in a way that invites you to learn, celebrate, and protect this iconic watershed. It’s a thoughtful tribute to the people who work the water and a compelling reminder of our duty to protect the Bay.”
– Congressman Rob Wittman (VA- 01)
Susan Swift and Heather Cockrell have done it again! The ABCs of Oystering on the Chesapeake Bay is as beautiful and informative as their first book, The ABCs of Crabbing. As a board member of the Virginia Oyster Trail, I am certainly an advocate for oysters. I know children and parents alike will learn something new about everyone’s favorite mollusk in this clever ABC book; I sure did. I hope this book finds its way up and down the Virginia Oyster Trail and beyond.
– Shauna McCranie, Executive Director, Reedville Fishermen’s Museum
From the very first page, the vivid illustrations capture the reader’s attention and continue to engage throughout the book. Through thoughtful and creative writing, the story offers a window into the world of oysters and the hardworking watermen who harvest them. For readers seeking a book that is both educational and captivating, this one delivers from start to finish.
– Monica Schenemann, Virginia Waterwoman Secretary, Virginia Waterman’s Association Board Member, Virginia Marine Products Board
The ABCs of Oystering on the Chesapeake Bay is more than a beautifully illustrated children’s book, it’s a creative tool for teaching the next generation about the importance of protecting our natural resources and preserving the watermen’s way of life. Young readers will get a glimpse of the Bay’s ecology and the career paths it sustains by fostering curiosity, stewardship, and pride in the Chesapeake Bay region. Thank you, Mrs. Swift, for continuing to highlight some of our most treasured resources.
– Delegate Hillary Pugh Kent, Virginia House of Delegates, District 67
Meet the illustrator
Heather has always had a passion for using her creativity to inspire children to express their own unique creativity. Heather was born and raised in the small rural town of Lancaster County, VA. After graduating from high school, Heather attended Ferrum College, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Education. After teaching for a few years in several different areas in Virginia, Heather decided to return home and accepted her current position as the middle school art teacher at Northumberland Middle School in Northumberland County, Virginia. Heather finds immense joy in mentoring students, fostering their creativity, and guiding them in their artistic journeys. Her commitment extends way beyond the classroom, as she is deeply invested in many other organizations in the community. In her personal life, Heather resides in the small town of Reedville, Virginia, with her husband Nick and their two dogs. She enjoys spending time on the water that both she and her husband grew up on.
