Renton Resident Releases First Children's Book

Local, Renton, WA. resident Swannee Rivers is a mother, business owner, teacher, community showcase developer, motivational speaker, and author of Healthcare Under Duress-An Inside Look at the University of Washington Billing Scandal (2003,) Hidden Treasures: Small Businesses Doing Great Things in the Pacific Northwest (2007,) Cancer Journal for the Survivor in You (2003 edition I,) Parents Don’t Know Everything-A Teen Freedom of Expression Journal (2003,) and the updated Cancer Journal for the Survivor in You II (2009.) Healthcare Under Duress is recognized internationally for its symbolic stance against fraud in the healthcare industry, and continues to be used to train management at local insurance institutions, and colleges in the Pacific Northwest.

Swannee Rivers has been a contributing feature writer in The Renton Reporter, Seattle Times, Northwest Baby & Child, Campfire Girls National Campaign, as well as the Chicken Soup for the Soul Series where she also was actively involved in the selection of incoming story contributions for years. Her work has been featured on several online publications including Soap Opera Central, and Consumer Review.com. In 2008 she was a contributor for question development with New Play Media in their creation of an online Soap Opera Trivia Game. In 2018 she appeared in the documentary The Last Swing which was featured at the Seattle Film Festival and the Tacoma Film Festival. In 2018 she also was featured in the Oxygen channel's series Criminal Confessions.

In January 2020, Swannee was awarded a National Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ from the Council of Professional Recognition in Washington, DC in recognition of outstanding work with young children. The Council recognizes and credentials early care and education professionals who demonstrate an understanding of how the Council's nationally recognized CDA Competency Standards can help teachers support young children's early care and learning experiences.

"It takes special knowledge, skills, and expertise to be an effective teacher of young children," says Valora Washington, CEO of the Council. "It's a great honor to earn a CDA and it shows a commitment to quality early childhood education."

Despite many accomplishments, one hope continuously left a desire in her heart and that was to complete literary works for children. Recently this dream became a reality.

Fuzzy Ears and the Grocery Store Adventure (2020) marks the release of her first children's literary work. Come along and see the adventure that occurs when Ruby, aka “Fuzzy Ears.” becomes separated from her mother during a day of shopping. As her day unfolds, she soon learns the one thing she dislikes so much may be the only thing that may help reunite her with her mother. A fun addition to any child’s reading material. Swannee enjoyed the process of writing this book so much she plans to release her next children’s work during the summer of 2020.