Review by Booklist Review
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.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
This lively picture-book biography introduces readers to "one of America's first bird photographers," whose early-twentieth-century books about the natural world have inspired generations of conservationists and birders. Unconventional for her time, Stratton-Porter (1863âe"1924) develops her fascination with birds and their behaviors during a carefree childhood in rural Indiana. As a "grown-up married lady," she writes about her birding experiences but declines to be published when she learns her words would be accompanied by unlifelike drawings of birds "posed in silly positions." Photography changes everything for Stratton-Porter, and she embarks on a five-year project in the Limberlost Swamp near her home, photographing birds in their natural habitat (including "the world's first photo series of a growing vulture chick"). Esbaum's (Jack Knight's Brave Flight, rev. 5/22) conversational text engagingly conveys her subject's single-minded pursuit of her passion: sharing her love of birds with the world. Gibbon's (illustrator of Marjory Saves the Everglades, rev. 3/21) evocative acrylic-ink and colored-pencil illustrations depict the era and the beauty of the environs. Back matter includes more about Stratton-Porter and her influence; two photos of the subject and one of her photographs of a barn owl; a bibliography; and a list of Stratton-Porter's own books. Kitty FlynnJanuary/February 2024 p.110 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A portrait of the naturalist as a young woman. Growing up in 1870s Indiana, young Geneva Grace Stratton loves to roam and explore, watching and wondering. "Who cares if her apron tears or her face and hands get scratched up?" She's especially enamored of the birds she sees on the farm. After nursing an injured hawk, she tends to other hurt birds. She adjusts to a different life when her family moves to town, but she misses the country. As an adult, known as Gene, she marries and, in her new country home, happily reconnects with the birds she loves and writes true stories about her experiences with them. Her dream slips away when an editor demands that her work be illustrated with images of stuffed birds. No way. An incident with her daughter's parrot inspires her to learn photography, and she's off to nearby Limberlost Swamp, patiently observing birds and taking photos. After five years, she produces photos that wow the editor of Recreation magazine. Esbaum relies on simply stated language and syntax, emphasizing Gene's love of birds and allowing her determination to shine through. Gibbon's glowing, detailed acrylic-and-ink illustrations appear in vignettes or in full-page or double-page spreads, matching and enhancing the text. Though greatly respected in her own time, Gene Stratton-Porter is far less well known today; this work rectifies that oversight--this self-taught woman naturalist will come alive for young readers. Fascinating and inspiring. (author's note, more about Gene Stratton-Porter, bibliography, photographs, text credits) (Picture-book biography. 7-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
