Debra Wolf Goldstein, Esq.
Since childhood, I’ve always had a special connection with nature. I grew up hiking, camping, and canoeing in a small Central Pennsylvania town along the Appalachian Trail. At age 11, I was outraged when a beloved grove of chestnut trees in my hometown was clear cut and paved for a parking lot (yup, just like the Joni Mitchell song!). Recently, my mother showed me an essay I’d written from that time, in which I declared that when I grew up I wanted to “turn parking lots into playgrounds.”
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Writing
My writing has been published in magazines, newspapers, academic journals, and online sites on a variety of legal and non-legal topics including: backpacking with my daughter; attending a silent meditation retreat; a biography of Bucks County’s first female environmentalist; and a guidebook on inclusive trail design.
I'm thrilled that my first children's book, A FAMILY FOR ZOYA: THE TRUE STORY OF AN ENDANGERED TIGER CUB, will be published by Platypus Media in 2025.
My second book, a humorous informational fiction story about the food chain, will be published by Science Naturally in 2026.
I'm a member of SCBWI and in 2024 was awarded an Honorable Mention by PB Rising Stars for my picture book biography about a female botanist.
Publishing
One Little Earth has joint ventured with the woman-owned indie publisher The Little Press to create a new line of nature-themed children’s books. I’m delighted to serve as Editor for this new imprint, helping to acquire and edit the books.
The first book to be published by this alliance -- WONDER OF THE WOODS by author-illustrator Bonnie Kelso -- is now available in bookstores and online!
A young girl explores the wooded area near her home and encounters a variety of animals curious about their new visitor.
Wonders abound as you explore nature in this lyrical picture book about curiosity and harmony.
The next book in the new line is DARK SKIES, a touching family story about stargazing, by Lindsey Hobson, illustrated by Makenzie McCarthy. The book is currently in production and will be available in Fall 2025. Several other excellent stories are coming soon.
Music
Although I’m not a very good guitar player, I do love writing lyrics and am honored to have won a number of songwriting awards, including from American Songwriter, Nashville Songwriters Ass’n Internat’l (NSAI); and The Great American Song Contest. It probably won’t come as a surprise that several of my songs are about nature!
Listen to sample below and check out my other music on SoundCloud.
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”
—Robert Swan