Dog-Eared Publications Publisher

Dog-Eared Publications is a Nature Publisher for Children. I spoke with Nancy on the phone last week after discovering her website http://www.dog-eared.com/index.html

Publisher Nancy Field's dedication to environmental education for children began when she co-chaired the first Earth Day at South Dakota State University in 1970. At that time, she realized the necessity of educating young minds in order to change the way adults perceive environmental problems.

Today, 37 years later, Nancy Field presides as publisher of a nationally known and respected nature publishing company, Dog-Eared Publications. She writes, designs, and publishes interactive books to expand children's knowledge and understanding of the natural world and to foster an environmental ethic within them. The books are engaging, thought-provoking and broad in scope. The works introduce ecological principals and concepts, current issues, and environmental problems: they open children's eyes to the world in which they live. Young readers see scientists as role models actively involved in research. Activities are designed to involve children's minds, helping them process information. The activities provide opportunities to develop skills in critical thinking, cooperative learning and creative problem-solving. Through interaction with the materials, readers retain what they have learned. Nancy?s books take children a unique step beyond simple awareness to actions appropriate for their age.

Degrees in science enable Nancy to design books employing sound principles of science education. She has B.S. in biology science education from the Univ. of Wisconsin and a M.S. in wildlife biology from South Dakota State Univ. She has been certified by the Wildlife Society as an associate wildlife biologist. Over the years, Nancy lived in different communities, including Seattle,WA and Corvallis, OR. Nancy taught biology and environmental science at colleges in the various areas, such as Bellevue Community College, Western Oregon State College and Oregon State University. In 1988, Nancy moved to Middleton, WI with her husband Donald R. Field, a professor in forestry at U. of Wis., Madison.At that time, Dog-Eared Publications became a full time business.

Dog-Eared Publications has created 26 titles, written for the 3rd to 6th grade reading level. Field discovered a national park service niche and has books in most national parks around the country. The books are also successfully sold in U. S. Forest Service areas, wildlife refuges, museums, aquariums, and zoos Teachers also find the books excellent supplements to science texts. Nan's most recent title, Discovering Sharks and Rays, took home the prestigious 2004 Ben Franklin Award for Best Juvenile-Young Adult Nonfiction from Publishers Marketing Association. The book was also a Finalist in ForeWord Magazine?s Book of the Year Award competition. And it was named one of the "Hottest Products of 2004" by iParenting Media.Another title, Leapfrogging Through Wetlands won three awards in 1999: a Ben Franlkin Award in the category of science and the environment, a Parent?s Guide to Children?s Media Award and a Parents? Choice Silver Award. Several other books have been best sellers. For example, Discovering Northwest Volcanoes is the best selling children?s books at both Mt. St. Helens visitor center and at Mt. Rainier National Park. Over 70,000 copies have been sold. Her timely Discovering Endangered Species book, published in 1990, sold 18,000 copies in just the first year and now has more than 80,000 in print. Discovering Wolves was the first book written in Wisconsin and includes numerous Midwest examples. The newest book is Discovering Black Bears. Nancy's books are having a profound effect on the breadth of children's environmental awareness.


Check out her latest book.
Discovering Black Bears By Margaret Anderson, Nancy Field andKaren Stephenson
ISBN: 978-0-941042-37-6

This engaging book explores the natural history of the American black bear, its behavior and habitat. It covers bear/human conflicts and how problems can be resolved. Written by scientists, this book contains 20 clever activities designed to stimulate children's minds. It contains a full sheet of biologically accurate black bear stickers.

**Nancy sent me a copy for review. Well, I have to say my kids were all over it. The book is engaging. The quality of pictures is terrific. The stickers are fun and realistic. My daughter loved them the most. My son wanted to color in the bears.
Overall the book passed the toughest critics -- my kids.