Bolivian-born children's book author. His popular novels include Touching Spirit Bear, Petey, and Tree Girl.
He began his writing career in the mid-1980s and won such literary honors as the International Reading Association Award and the Western Writers' Golden Spur Award.
He was the owner of a 750-pound black bear named Buffy.
A member of a family of Danish descent, he was raised in Bolivia and the United States. He eventually settled in Montana with his wife.
He was a contemporary of fellow children's book author Tony Abbott.
