Today I want to share two excellent picture books about naturalist and artist John James Audubon (1785-1851), who came to America from France at age 18 and became “the greatest painter of birds of all time” (Davies).
Audubon: Painter of Birds in the Wild Frontier by Jennifer Armstrong, illustrated by Jos. A. Smith (Harry N. Abrams, 2003)
This book is a vivid look at Audubon’s life, especially a few specific incidents — like seeing so many flocks of passenger pigeons that they blotted out the sun and watching trumpeter swans scare away a pack of wolves. Lovely illustrations complement the text. The book ends with detailed author’s and artist’s notes that include biographical info, source material, and reproductions of some of Audubon’s paintings. This is a great choice for anyone looking for a serious, living introduction to this talented naturalist. Recommended for ages 6 to 10.
The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies, illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Houghton Mifflin, 2004)
The story of Audubon discovering that birds return to their old nests in the spring (in 1804 he was the first person in North America to band a bird) is well-written and showcases his curiosity and perseverance, as he asked questions, observed, collected, and drew pictures. Children will be amused by previous theories about migrating birds (that they huddle together under ice or fly to the moon!). The illustrations are water colour, pen and ink, and collage, including maps and natural objects. An author’s source note explains what is true and speculative in her story and a bibliography lists six sources. There is also an illustrator’s source note explaining that she visited the place where the story takes place (Pennsylvania), thanking the experts who helped her, and listing her materials. Recommended for ages 6 to 10.
The books you mentioned about Audubon brought back memories. I went to a three room country school. One of the teachers used to take us on bird hikes just as the sun was getting up in the spring. The area west of Parkwood Hospital on Commissioners Road had a few ponds in the heavy woods. They were bogs and attracted waterfowl. She would pile a group of us in the back of her car and take us bird watching. No seat belts. When the hike was over we returned to the school walked back home and returned at 9 o’clock for school When the birds began returning in the spring she had a blackboard set aside for the sighting of the first bird that one of the pupils saw. There was the pupil’s name and the bird that was seen. You can be sure we kept our eyes open so we could be on the list.