  | Bird girl : Gene Stratton-Porter shares her love of nature with the world Author: Esbaum, Jill | |
| Price: $23.78 | ||
Summary:
Learn about the life of Gene Stratton-Porter, a pioneering wildlife photographer and popular children's book author from the late 19th and early 20th century, who showed the world the beauty of nature, especially birds, and why it was worth preserving.
| Illustrator: | Gibbon, Rebecca |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (02/01/24)
School Library Journal (10/18/24)
Booklist (03/01/24)
The Hornbook (00/01/24)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 10/18/2024 PreS-Gr 3—A captivating biography of Gene Stratton-Porter, a bird lover and photographer. The story follows Porter's journey as she discovers her passion for birds, faces setbacks, and ultimately finds her way back to her love of nature. Gibbon's warm, mixed-media illustrations (paint and colored pencils) bring Porter's story to life, showcasing her emotional depth and determination. Esbaum's narrative masterfully conveys Porter's struggles and triumphs, from her initial fascination with birds to her frustration with a magazine's desire to use images of a stuffed bird instead of the real thing. The book highlights Porter's decision to teach herself photography (around 1895), capturing birds in their natural habitat. Her perseverance pays off as she becomes a published author, showcasing her amazing photographs and all of the information she has gathered. More about her life and work appears in the very thorough back matter. VERDICT An inspiring tale of passion, resilience, and innovation, covering a remarkable life and encouraging children to pursue their own interests and their dreams.—Jessica Clark - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 03/01/2024 Seven-year-old bird-bewitched Geneva develops a reputation as an avian expert, helping injured birds recuperate and learning how to observe her feathered friends in their natural environment. As a grown-up, Gene returns to her cherished countryside and pens true stories about her beloved birds, but demands for accompanying artwork from a magazine make her realize she doesn’t want the birds portrayed in stiff, posed artwork. It finally occurs to Gene that photographs may be the answer, so off she goes to nearby Limberlost Swamp, 40 pounds of camera gear in tow. The fearless photographer sloshes and clambers through the difficult terrain to find content to share via umpteen articles and books, cementing her place in history as one of the first Americans to capture birds through a camera lens. It’s a pleasure to meet the bold bird ambassador and watch her flourish, and the vibrant acrylic and colored-pencil illustrations offer a superb sense of play and movement, beautifully matching Gene’s zest for adventures in the natural world. A splendid introduction to a lesser-known life that is sure to inspire. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
