Dorothy Hinshaw Patent

Ever since I was a child I've loved nature and animals. I spent my time out of doors, chasing butterflies and scooping tadpoles out of ponds. So it's no wonder I studied biology and became an author myself, sharing my fascination with the living world with readers. I've expanded into other fascinating areas of knowledge, too, especially historical topics of the American west, such as the Lewis and Clark expedition and the relationships of Native Americans with bison and horses. I grew up in Rochester, MN until our family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. After high school, I studied at Stanford University and U.C. Berkeley, where I got my Ph.D in Zoology, met my husband Greg, and had two sons, David and Jason. As the boys grew up, I decided to be a working stay-home mom, sharing my fascination with Nature with young readers. I've been lucky in my career--I've traveled the world researching my books, earned many awards and honors such as the Washington Post Children's Book Guild Award, and had my books featured on many 'best books' lists, including Best Science Trade Books for Students from the National Science Teachers Association. After decades raising my boys in Missoula, MT, my husband and I now live on the island of Kaua'i, where I continue to write and also teach online writing courses to help people express their own creative voices. Visit my website www.DorothyHinshawPatent.com to learn more.