Michael is the creator and coauthor of the best-selling, award-winning books Keepers of the Earth, Keepers of the Animals, Keepers of Life, Keepers of the Night and Native American Gardening. His other books include Earth Tales from Around the World, The Crimson Elf: Italian Tales of Wisdom, A Time Before New Hampshire: The Story of a Land and Native Peoples and Remains Unknown: The Final Journey of a Human Spirit. Michael's most recent books are Everyday Herbs in Spiritual Life: A Guide to Many Practices and Abraham's Bind & Other Bible Tales of Trickery, Folly, Mercy and Love. His picture/activity books include In the Beginning: The Story of Genesis and Earth Activities for Children and A Child of God: Stories of Jesus and Stewardship Activities for Children. Michael also wrote Pond and Brook and A Guide on Environmental Values Education (UNESCO — English and Spanish editions). He has written more than 100 articles for magazines such as Cricket, Rodale's Organic Gardening, Sanctuary, Instructor, Nature Study, Green Teacher and Ranger Rick's NatureScope. His feature articles have appeared in many newspapers and his op-ed pieces have been carried over Reuters International News Service.
In 1984 Michael founded a service called P.E.A.C.E.® — Programs for Environmental Awareness and Cultural Exchange. P.E.A.C.E.® promotes understanding, awareness, appreciation and stewardship as the foundation for building a harmonious, sustainable relationship between people and Earth, and among the cultures of the world.
His Awards
- NAPPA Gold and Silver Awards (National Parenting Publications Award)
- Aesop Prize — the American Folklore Society's choice for Best Book of the Year
- Skipping Stones Honor Award for a collection of traditional tales
- Storytelling World Award for the most tellable tale in a collection
- ALA (American Library Association) Best Books for Young Adults
- Association of Children's Booksellers' Choice Award
- American Bookseller's "Pick of the List" Award
- ASCAP Popular Award (American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers) for All One Earth: Songs for the Generations
- New England's regional award for excellence in environmental education
- New York State Outdoor Education Association's Art and Literary Award
His Publications
Michael is the creator and coauthor of the best-selling, award-winning books Keepers of the Earth, Keepers of the Animals, Keepers of Life, Keepers of the Night and Native American Gardening. Michael's most recent book is In the Beginning: The Story of Genesis and Earth Activities for Children, which will soon be followed by the companion volume: A Child of God: Stories of Jesus and Earth Activities for Children. Other books include Earth Tales from Around the World, The Crimson Elf: Italian Tales of Wisdom, A Time Before New Hampshire: The Story of a Land and Native Peoples and Remains Unknown: The Final Journey of a Human Spirit. Michael also wrote Pond and Brook and A Guide on Environmental Values Education (UNESCO — English and Spanish editions). He has written more than 100 articles for magazines such as Cricket, Rodale's Organic Gardening, Sanctuary, Instructor, Nature Study, Green Teacher and Ranger Rick's NatureScope.
His Music
Michael accompanies his original songs with acoustic guitar and invites audiences to sing along. All One Earth: Songs for the Generations — his award-winning family album — features smooth adult harmonies, a children's chorus, animal voices and a superb melding of acoustical guitar, piano, bass, violin, harmonica, flute, recorder and mandolin.
His Contributions to Education
In 1981 Michael created, named and published "Environmental Values Education" (EVE) — the first comprehensive strategy for moral education and the environment. He also pioneered the use of storytelling and the arts for teaching environmental ethics. In the Keepers of the Earth® series which was co-authored with Joseph Bruchac (1985-1994), Michael created "Ecological Education," a wholistic approach inspired by biological diversity and rooted in the diversity of human intelligence and culture.
Michael earned a B.S. in Natural Resources Management from the University of Rhode Island (magna cum laude). He was awarded a full Rackham Fellowship from the University of Michigan (M.S. in Natural Resources/Environmental Education, summa cum laude ) and was elected a member of the National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.