Douglas Wood (naturalist)

Douglas Wood is an American children's author, author, singer, songwriter, speaker, and musician.[1][2][3] One of Wood's children's books, Old Turtle and the Broken Truth, won the International Reading Association Book of the Year Award.[4][5][6]

Douglas Wood
BornDecember 10, 1951
New York City
NationalityAmerican
Alma materMorningside College
St Cloud State University
Occupation(s)Author, speaker, musician, singer, wilderness guide
Notable workOld Turtle
Grandad's Prayers of the Earth
Deep Woods, Wild Waters
WebsiteDouglas Wood

Education

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Wood received his Bachelors of Music Education Degree from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. Thereafter he completed graduate course studies for a master's degree in psychology from St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN.

Biography

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Douglas Wood is an American writer of many books for children and adults, with over two and one half million copies in print.[7] Old Turtle and Grandad's Prayers of the Earth are among his best known works. Among Wood's honors and awards are the Christopher Medal, American Booksellers Book of the Year, International Reading Association Book of the Year, and Parent's Choice Award. His book, Miss Little's Gift, was recognized as a Notable Book by the Smithsonian Institution.[8] Much of Douglas Wood's thematic material comes from a lifelong interest in the outdoors, particularly the relationship between the human spirit and the natural world. In 2011 Douglas Wood narrated the symphonic setting of Old Turtle at the Lincoln Center.[9]

In addition to his work as an author, Douglas Wood is also a musician, who composes and performs music for 12 string guitar, banjo, mandolin, and keyboards.[10] He often performs with his band, WildSpirit. As with his books, much of his music is inspired by the world of nature.[11]

Public speaking

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Wood speaks frequently at literary, environmental, and wellness conferences and conventions on the topics wilderness, personal growth, spiritual health, and the outdoors.

He has appeared at the National Wellness Conference, American Booksellers Convention, International Reading Association, Minnesota Naturalist's Association, Association of Interpretive Naturalists, World Wilderness Congress and Midwest Environmental Conference and others.

Selected books

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  • Douglas, Wood (1992). Old Turtle. Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780439309080.
  • Douglas, Wood (1996). The Windigo's Return: A North Woods Story. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0689800658.
  • Douglas, Wood (2009). Grandad's Prayers of the Earth. Candlewick. ISBN 978-0763646752.
  • Douglas, Wood (2001). Fawn Island. Univ Of Minnesota Press. ISBN 978-0816631759.
  • Douglas, Wood (2001). What Moms Can't Do. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0689833588.
  • Douglas, Wood (2005). A Quiet Place. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0689876097.
  • Douglas, Wood (2003). Old Turtle and the Broken Truth. Scholastic Press. ISBN 978-0439321099.
  • Douglas, Wood (2009). Secret of Saying Thanks. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0689854101.
  • Douglas, Wood (2017). Miss Little's Gift. Candlewick. ISBN 978-0763698379.
  • Douglas, Wood (2010). Where the Sunrise Begins. Simon & Schuste. ISBN 978-0689861727.
  • Douglas, Wood (2011). No One But You. Candlewick. ISBN 978-0763638481.
  • Douglas, Wood (2013). When a Dad Says I Love You. Simon & Schuster.
  • Douglas, Wood (2014). When a Grandpa Says "I Love You. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0689815126.
  • Douglas, Wood (2017). Old Turtle: Questions of the Heart. Scholastic Press. ISBN 978-0439321112.
  • Douglas, Wood (2017). Deep Woods, Wild Waters: A Memoir. Univ Of Minnesota Press. ISBN 9780816631735.
  • Douglas, Wood (2018). Americans. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-1416927563.

Discography

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Year Album Notes
2008 Alive & Pickin' Release date: September 1, 2008

Genre: Folk

Label: Wind in the Pines Publishing

1997 Deep Woods Deep Waters Release date: May 7, 1997

Genre: New Age

Label: Wind in the Pines

1989 Earthsongs[12] Release date: October 7, 1989

Genre: Folk

Label: Wind in the Pines

1983 Solitary Shores: A Tribute to Sigurd F. Olson Release date: May 1, 1983

Genre: Folk

Label: Wind in the Pines Publishing

Major awards and achievements

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  • 1992: Minnesota Book Award
  • 1993: ABBY Award – American Booksellers Book of the Year[13]
  • 1993: International Reading Association Book of the Year
  • 1994: Who's Who in America, 48th Edition
  • 1999: The Christopher Medal
  • 2000: Parents Choice Award[14]
  • 2009: Alumni Educator of the Year – Morningside College
  • 2009: Smithsonian Notable Book
  • 2011: Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Book Award
  • 2013: Lifetime Achievement Award, MN Association for Environmental Ed
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Video

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References

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  1. ^ Zuege, Unsie. "Author Douglas Wood brings music, storytelling to Hooked on Books". SWNewsMedia.com. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  2. ^ "Books by Douglas Wood and Complete Book Reviews". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  3. ^ "Minnesota author's memoir explores a life shaped in the wild". Star Tribune. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  4. ^ "Douglas Wood Books, Author Biography, and Reading Level | Scholastic". www.scholastic.com. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  5. ^ Strand, Benjamin. "Empowering kids through story: Famed author Douglas Wood visits Winona's Riverway Monday with tales, songs". Winona Daily News. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  6. ^ "For Minnesota author of 'Old Turtle,' nature is still filled with countless stories". Twin Cities. April 29, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  7. ^ "In Review: Douglas Wood's "Deep Woods, Wild Waters"". Sierra Club. October 9, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  8. ^ "Interview with Douglas Wood Book Author Fawn Island". KVSC 88.1 FM. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  9. ^ "Douglas Wood biographical data". Archived from the original on April 20, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  10. ^ ♫ Earthsongs – Douglas Wood. Listen @cdbaby, retrieved December 9, 2019
  11. ^ "Douglas Wood musician data". Archived from the original on April 8, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  12. ^ "Earth Songs with Douglas Wood". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  13. ^ "Douglas Wood – Authors & Illustrators – Welcome to Walker Books Australia". walkerbooks.com.au. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  14. ^ Deep Woods, Wild Waters.