Author of books for kids about wildlife, nature, space, weather, and more!

Mary Kay Carson

Mary Kay Carson

Author of books for kids about wildlife, nature, space, weather, and more!

A new title in Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s award-winning Scientists in the Field series:


Park Scientists

Gila Monsters, Geysers, and Grizzly

Bears in America’s Own Backyard


Mary Kay Carson with photos by Tom Uhlman


The national parks have been called "America's best idea,” and some of the best scientific ideas are happening right now inside these protected places that welcome 270 million plus visitors each year. Meet up with scientists studying geysers, grizzlies, salamanders, cacti, and fireflies in some of America's most treasured places—our national parks.

Watch the book trailer!

Check out the Scientists in the Field website

Reviews

"A well-written, unique, carefully organized treat for nature lovers and investigators."

—School Library Journal  starred review


"A welcome demonstration of the breadth of possibilities in scientific work."

—Kirkus


"With a conversationist bent, Carson describes just how accessible these real-life 'natural laboratories and living museums' are and how each individual can act with the same spirit of inquiry as the scientist-explorers detailed here."

—Booklist

A Junior Library Guild selection

Celebrate the Centennial!

Press release download