Recognition like this reminds us why books matter. In a world facing complex environmental, social, and psychological challenges, powerful ideas can spark meaningful change — and this year, three New Society Publishers titles have been recognized for doing exactly that.
We’re proud to celebrate three Silver Medal winners in the 2026 IPPY Awards (Independent Publisher Book Awards), a program marking its 30th year of honoring courage, creativity, and independent spirit in publishing. From raising kids who care about the planet, to reimagining what school could be, to rethinking how we support struggling teens, these award-winning titles offer inspiring and practical pathways toward a healthier next generation.
The full lineup: The Wild Path Home in Education I (Workbook/Resources), The End of Education as We Know It in Education II (Commentary/Theory), and Kids These Days in Psychology/Mental Health. Three books, three categories, one thread running through all of them — what we actually owe the next generation, and what doing right by them looks like in practice.
Two of Ontario’s most decorated environmental educators built this guide around a simple question: how do you actually raise kids who care about the planet? Their answer is 30 age-linked “Landmarks” — concrete, hands-on actions from birth through the teen years — backed by stewardship principles that work in a classroom, a backyard, or anywhere in between.
Ida Rose Florez, a learning scientist and systems-change expert, argues that schools built for the industrial age were never going to prepare kids for a complex world — and lays out what a regenerative alternative looks like in practice. With a foreword by Peter Gray, it’s already being read alongside John Taylor Gatto’s classic critiques of schooling.
Two practicing therapists spent two decades between them working with struggling teens before writing this pointed look at why so many mental health interventions fail kids — and what actually builds resilience instead. The book has picked up endorsements from Paris Hilton and Dr. Bruce D. Perry since its release.
These three award-winning books reflect New Society Publishers’ mission to publish ideas and tools for a just and sustainable world. While each title approaches change from a different perspective, together they offer readers practical pathways for creating healthier communities, stronger relationships, and a more resilient future.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jacob Rodenburg, Cathy Dueck, Ida Rose Florez, WIll Dobud and Nevin Harper. We are honored to publish their work and grateful to the IPPY Awards for this recognition.
View the complete list of 2026 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY) winners and join us in celebrating these remarkable achievements.
Nevin Harper, PhD, is a Professor in the Faculty of Health at the University of Victoria, and a Registered Clinical Counsellor with over 30 years’ experience leading groups and individuals through transformative outdoor experiences. He is co-author of Kids These Days, Nature-Based Therapy and Outdoor Therapies. Nevin lives on Vancouver Island, Canada.
Jacob Rodenburg, nature sommelier, is an award-winning educator who believes in the importance of connecting children to nature. He is the executive director of Camp Kawartha, a summer camp and outdoor education center, and an instructor in environmental education at Trent University. An educator of three decades, Jacob has published articles on children, nature, and the environment; has taught more than 100,000 students; and is co-author of The Big Book of Nature Activities. He lives in Peterborough, Ontario.
Ida Rose Florez, Ph.D. is a learning scientist, systems-change expert, and educational psychologist whose focus is revitalizing regenerative practices in schools. She writes for popular, trade, and academic publications, and engages audiences through workshops and keynote speeches across the U.S. and internationally. She lives in Williams, Arizona.
Cathy Dueck is a lifelong naturalist who has worked in community-based environmental education for over 35 years. She is founder of the Peterborough Ecology Park where she oversaw the development and delivery of children’s programs. Cathy taught in the School of the Environment at Trent University for 15 years and holds a B.A. in Environmental Science and a Master’s in Canadian and Indigenous Studies. She served as lead writer, researcher, and co-ordinator for the Kawartha Region’s Pathway to Stewardship and Kinship project, where she shared her passion for fostering community connection and environmental stewardship with people of all ages. Cathy has received many local, provincial, and national awards. She lives in Havelock, Ontario.
Will Dobud, PhD, MSW has over 20 years of therapeutic experience working with youth and families from diverse backgrounds across the US, Australia, and Norway. He has developed innovative programs that integrate psychotherapy and the outdoors to improve teenagers’ experience when seeking mental health treatment. A dedicated, award-winning researcher and senior social work lecturer, Will explores ways to improve the experience and effectiveness of mental health supports, and advocates for youth impacted by the United States’ troubled-teen industry. He is co-host of the popular Adventure Therapy Collective Podcast and co-author of Solution-Focused Practice in Outdoor Therapy: Co-Adventuring for Change and Outdoor Therapies: An Introduction To Practices, Possibilities, and Critical Perspectives. A senior lecturer in social work at Charles Sturt University, Will lives and works between Australia and the Washington DC area.
