Christian Cooper, author portrait
© Courtesy of the author

Christian Cooper

Christian Cooper is a science and comics writer and editor and the host and consulting producer of Extraordinary Birder on National Geographic. One of Marvel’s first openly gay writers and editors, Cooper introduced the first gay male character in Star Trek, in the Starfleet Academy series, which was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award. He also introduced the first openly lesbian character for Marvel and created and authored Queer Nation: The Online Gay Comic. Based in New York City, he is on the board of directors for NYC Audubon.
Better Living Through Birding

Books

Better Living Through Birding

Books for Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month this February, we are highlighting essential fiction and nonfiction for students, teachers, and parents to share and discuss this month and beyond. Join Penguin Random House Education in celebrating the contributions of Black authors and illustrators by exploring the titles here: BLACK HISTORY – MIDDLE SCHOOL BLACK HISTORY –

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New Thematic Educator Guides: Teaching Nature

Educators have raised concerns about students’ growing disconnection from the natural world as academic pressures and screen-based learning increases. Coined by Richard Louv as “nature-deficit disorder,” this loss of direct contact with nature has meaningful implications for students’ health, learning, and long-term environmental stewardship. Integrating nature writing and outdoor experiences into the classroom offers a

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