KAHREN DOWCETT
Kahren Dowcett lives on Cape Cod, Sammy Spat’s birthplace, and home to some of the best oysters anywhere. She holds a degree in Theatre Design & Production from Southern Illinois University and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University. Her love for the environment is undeniable. And creating ways to make the invisible visible drives her. Layered with themes that inspired even an oyster to become a legend in its own time, Ms. Dowcett’s writing educates while it entertains, and in the end makes the reader a little wiser, a smidge stronger, and a bit smarter.
Amplifying matters that matter has animated not only her writing, but also her teaching and community betterment work, which has brought her recognition by the former Governor of Illinois among other leaders. She has written and staged plays using giant puppets for both schools and general audiences, like the Missa Gaia (Earth Mass) performed with the Chatham Chorale and members of the Paul Winter Consort. When not conjuring up imagery or characters and their mis-adventures, she enjoys her children and grandchildren, and tends to her chickens, golden retriever, a 1730 antique home, while plotting her next travel adventure, fuel for a future edutaining tale. For Ms. Dowcett, the “world is her oyster” not so much for the taking, but for the sharing and caring.
ANAMARIJA FRANKIC
Anamarija Frankić, Ph.D. is a founding director of the Green Harbors Project®, and the Biomimicry LivingLabs®, a research professor at UMass Boston and University of Zadar, Croatia. She is a Biomimicry, Fulbright, AAUW and Sea Grant Knauss Congressional Fellow. In 2019, she co-founded NORRI, Native Oyster Reef Restoration Ireland. She is a member of NORA Europe (Native Oyster Restoration Alliance), and the World Oyster Society. Dr. Frankic’s work has been recognized by awards from the American Association of University Women (AAUW), the US President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, two US National Awards in Engineering Excellence, and the City of Boston award for her services to local communities. Anamarija has devoted her life in discovering secrets of the sea world, by listening and observing the wisdom nature provides. Oysters have always been the most intriguing part of her research. She is grateful to be part of this amazing book to inspire young people and future generations to appreciate and love this amazing species.
BARBARA HARMON
Barbara Harmon is a natural science illustrator who divides her time between Ocala, FL and Orleans, MA. Her training includes a Master's degree in medical illustration, and a Bachelor's degree (double majors in zoology and fine art). Clients and collectors include the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Massachusetts Audubon Society, Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, Association of Medical Illustrators, the National Parks Academy for the Arts, and the American Academy of Equine Art. See her work: