Wild at heart The story of Olaus and Mardy Murie, defenders of nature

This picture book starring two of the first environmental activists has enough wolves-are-circling danger, David-versus-Goliath conflict, and stunning graphics to keep readers riveted throughout. Married couple Olaus (a biologist) and Mardy (an agriculturalist) Murie spent decades from 1927 observing animals and nature in the Arctic, and their work ultimately resulted in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and the Wilderness Act, both instituted in the 1960s. But this action-packed story doesn't give dates that could bog down young readers (until the back matter); instead, the focus is on the fun Olaus and Mardy had canoeing, snowshoeing, rafting, and dogsledding, and the beauty of the Arctic wildlife and land they witnessed firsthand. A section is devoted to how Native people sheltered them, guided them through dangerous territories, and taught them how to respect the land's resources and creatures. The illustrations, with bold, strongly contrasting colors and perspectives that leap off the page, beautifully evoke the WPA-style travel and conservation posters of the 1930s, when the Muries were exploring the Arctic. Double-page spreads showing Olaus and Mardy standing in front of Arctic animals while large men in suits stand in front of tree stumps and smokestacks effectively contrast the forces for profit (in a brown/gray hellscape) and forces for conservation (in an idyllic setting). Both gripping and inspiring.

Griffith and Bron pay tribute to two biologists whose advocacy spurred the creation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and other protected areas across the United States. Olaus and Mardy Murie bonded over a shared love of the outdoors; they married in 1924. After years of travel, they became staunch and successful advocates for establishing wildlife preserves. While Griffith's account is inspiring, Bron's intricate, graceful illustrations may prove the stronger draw. She depicts the couple hiking through rugged northerly landscapes to observe wild creatures in their natural habitats, dancing around a remote campfire beneath starry skies, or animatedly sharing stories and insights with attentive groups--of bears and other beasts, as well as racially diverse human audiences. Throughout, the pages light up with the joy the Muries took in being together, in being outside, and in being links in a wondrous "chain of life." Commendably, the author, too, is meticulous. His backmatter includes more biographical detail about the Muries (with photos), acknowledges the help they received from local Inuit and Ojibwe residents, and notes frankly that Olaus most likely "collected" Indigenous ancestral remains (which are currently being repatriated) and animal specimens for museums. Griffith leaves it to readers to decide whether that's a permanent blot on an otherwise admirable legacy. A moving salute to lives lived in service to nature. (map, bibliography)(Picture-book biography. 7-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.