FURSTINGER, Nancy

PERSONAL: Born in Passaic, NJ; daughter of Frank (an electrical engineer) and Helene Furstinger; married Ken Saint. Education: Fairleigh Dickinson University, B.A. (English language and literature; summa cum laude), 1980. Hobbies and other interests: Animals (domestic and wild), photography, pet therapy, vegetarian cooking, movies.

ADDRESSES: Offıce—Furstinger Editorial Services, 54 Beeman Hill, Margaretville, NY 12455. E-mail—nancyf@catskill.net.

CAREER: Palm Beach Daily News/Palm Beach Life, Palm Beach, FL, feature writer, 1980-82; Industrial Chemical News, assistant managing editor, 1982-83; Kitchen & Bath Design News, senior feature writer, 1983-86; Bill Bognar, Glen Rock, NJ, promotion manager, 1986-87; Silver Burdett Press, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, managing editor, 1988-91; freelance editor and author, 1988—; Troll Associates, Inc., copy chief, 1993-96.

MEMBER: Society of Children's Book Writers.

AWARDS, HONORS: Second Place award, Best Children's Book of the Year, Dog Writers Association of America, 2001, for Fun Stuff with Your Best Friend: The Interactive Dog Book.

WRITINGS:

Catskill Creatures, illustrated by Bob Ebdon, Diamond Dreamer Press (New York, NY), 2000.

Fun Stuff with Your Best Friend: The Interative Dog Book, Doral Publishing (Sun City, AZ), 2000.

The Boston Tea Party, Bridgestone Books (Mankato, MN), 2002.

Connecticut, Children's Press (New York, NY), 2002.

(With others) Get Ready! for Social Studies: Geography, McGraw-Hill (New York, NY), 2002.

Davy Crockett, Weigl (Mankato, MN), 2003.

Everglades, Weigl (Mankato, MN), 2003.

Say It with Music: The Story of Irving Berlin, Morgan Reynolds (Greensboro, NC), 2003.

Also author of Test Best on the CTB Reading Test (series), Steck-Vaughn, Feasting on Forbidden Fruit, Nicotine Nightmares, Seeking the Muse,; and Green Wood. Shelter Scoop (magazine of Humane Society of Central Delaware County), editor and author of monthly column; columnist for County Shopper.

SIDELIGHTS: Nancy Furstinger told CA: "Living in a cabin high atop the Catskill Mountains certainly can be conducive to creativity. The hemlocks outside my attic office jitterbug as I scribble book ideas down on a yellow legal pad. Nibbling a shared salad with Angelhare Pasta, my official office rabbit, I contemplate how to share my enthusiasm for animals and nature with young readers. After twenty years in publishing, where I worked as a newspaper journalist, magazine editor, and managing editor for children's book publishers, I mustered the courage to strike out on my own as a freelance author/editor. My clients include children's trade and educational book publishers. I also write/publish in other genres: adult poetry and short stories, along with a newsletter and monthly column, 'Pet Tails: Ask Diamond Dreamer,' for our local animal shelter. As an animal aficionado, I ascribe to the adage, 'Write about what you know.' My partner Ken and I share our home with Lab mix Diamond Dreamer, rottie mix Splash Kisser, and a trio of house rabbits. My love of animals led me to write these books, with more percolating in my imagination!"