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Edward Martin Polansky

Goodreads Author

Born

San Antonio, The United States

Website

https://www.oscartheosprey.com

Genre

Children's, Young Adult

Member Since

February 2026

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/edpolansky

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Thirty-five years ago, during a family trip to Colorado's Royal Gorge, Edward Martin Polansky's young son made an offhand observation: "It would be terrible for a bird to be afraid of heights." That simple remark sparked an idea that would eventually become a six-book series teaching elementary readers about courage, integrity, and ethical decision-making.

But first, Ed had a forty-year career as a CPA to complete.

As a partner at Ernst & Young, founder of his own accounting firm, and eventually Of Counsel at Weaver LLP, Ed spent decades witnessing the real-world consequences of ethical lapses. He watched brilliant people derail promising careers through compromises that started small-cutting corners, prioritizing short-term gains, rationaliz Thirty-five years ago, during a family trip to Colorado's Royal Gorge, Edward Martin Polansky's young son made an offhand observation: "It would be terrible for a bird to be afraid of heights." That simple remark sparked an idea that would eventually become a six-book series teaching elementary readers about courage, integrity, and ethical decision-making.

But first, Ed had a forty-year career as a CPA to complete.

As a partner at Ernst & Young, founder of his own accounting firm, and eventually Of Counsel at Weaver LLP, Ed spent decades witnessing the real-world consequences of ethical lapses. He watched brilliant people derail promising careers through compromises that started small-cutting corners, prioritizing short-term gains, rationalizing dishonesty.

He served as Chair of the Texas Society of CPAs and on the board of San Antonio's PBS affiliate, always believing that the foundation for principled decision-making must be laid early, before children face high-stakes temptations.

So when Ed finally retired from full-time practice, he returned to that decades-old vision of an osprey afraid to fly.

In 2015, he published The Bird Who Was Afraid of Heights, introducing readers ages 6-8 to Oscar—an Osprey whose fear contradicts his very nature.

Kirkus Reviews praised the book's "sympathetic hero, engaging illustrations, and strong message." Ed followed with five more Oscar adventures, each tackling ethical dilemmas children actually face: honesty versus pride, supporting struggling friends, leadership responsibility, conflict resolution, and community decision-making.

Set in the Teton Mountains and Yellowstone, the series features distinctive black-and-white illustrations by award-winning San Antonio artist Jean Rosow. Her work brings Oscar's world to life while leaving room for young imaginations to soar.

Ed doesn't write to lecture. He writes for the child who feels different, scared, or inadequate; the child who has made mistakes and doesn't know how to make things right. His books present relatable characters navigating real challenges, discovering that character isn't about perfection but about choosing to do better and keep trying even when you're afraid.

Ed lives in San Antonio with Helenan, his wife of over fifty years. He visits schools to read Oscar's adventures and discuss character education with students, teachers, and parents. After all, the ethical foundation we build in childhood determines the adults we become: and sometimes the most important lessons come from an osprey brave enough to fly despite his fear! ...more

2 posts
Edward Martin Polansky's Blog

The Giveaway Is Over: Oscar Is on His Way

Five paperback copies of Oscar the Osprey: The Bird Who Was Afraid of Heights are in the mail as I write this, heading to readers I've never met in places I've never been. That's a strange and wonderful feeling for someone who wrote the first draft of this story on an Apple II Plus forty years ago.

Congratulations to our five Goodreads giveaway winners: Angela in Phoenix, Melissa in North Andover, Read more of this blog post »

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Published on April 02, 2026 21:50 • Tags: ages-6-8, book-giveaway, book-series, cdfco, cedric-d-fisher, character-education, children-s-books, courage, edward-martin-polansky, giveaway-winners, goodreads-giveaway, jean-rosow, kirkus-reviews, oscar-the-osprey, san-antonio-author, school-visits

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Edward Martin Polansky’s books

Average rating: 4.64 · 11 ratings · 2 reviews · 8 distinct works

	Oscar the Osprey: The Bird Who Was Afraid of Heights by Edward Martin Polansky (Goodreads Author), Edward Martin Polansky (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 4 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Oscar the Osprey: The Bird with a Conundrum by Edward Martin Polansky (Goodreads Author), Jean Rosow (Illustrator) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Oscar the Osprey and His Daunting Decision by Edward Martin Polansky (Goodreads Author), Jean Rosow (Illustrator) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Oscar the Osprey and His Diminutive Sister it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Oscar the Osprey and the Eagle Calamity by Edward Martin Polansky (Goodreads Author), Jean Rosow (Illustrator) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Oscar the Osprey and the Eagle Calamity by Edward Martin Polansky (Goodreads Author), Jean Rosow (Illustrator) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Oscar the Osprey and the Eagle Calamity by Edward Martin Polansky (Goodreads Author), Jean Rosow (Illustrator) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Oscar the Osprey and the Council Quandary by Edward Martin Polansky (Goodreads Author), Jean Rosow (Illustrator) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Edward Polansky and 1 other person liked Edward Martin Polansky's blog post: The Giveaway Is Over: Oscar Is on His Way "Five paperback copies of Oscar the Osprey: The Bird Who Was Afraid of Heights are in the mail as I write this, heading to readers I've never met in places I've never been. That's a strange and wonderful feeling for someone who wrote the first draf..." Read more of this blog post »
Apr 02, 2026 09:51PM
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Mar 10, 2026 06:43PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Oscar the Osprey and the Eagle Calamity by Edward Martin Polansky. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Oscar the Osprey and the Eagle Calamity by Edward Martin Polansky <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
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Mar 10, 2026 06:43PM · like
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