Review by Booklist Review
A childhood interest can blossom into a lifelong passion, and Florence Merriam Bailey is a shining example of such. An avian enthusiast from a young age, she spent her free time out in nature studying her feathered favorites, even joining her older brother in the scientific pursuit of collecting and preserving specimens for display. But Bailey didn't want to examine lifeless taxidermy; she strongly preferred observing animals in the wild, and she proselytized her passion to anyone who would listen, including fellow nineteenth-century college students. To combat the morbid trend of trimming fashionable hats with bird bits, Bailey dedicated her life to promoting the appreciation of gloriously alive birds in their natural habitats, even publishing the first field guide to American species. The stirring story of the lesser-known scientist-turned-activist will delight and motivate nature lovers, and the lush artwork bursts with beautiful depictions of Bailey's beloved birds. A few impressive biographical details and basic birding tips round out the proceedings. An inspiring introduction to an unusual and important life, sure to make an avian ally of anyone.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
An elegant tribute to Florence Merriam Bailey (1863-1948), a passionate ornithologist who revolutionized the way scientists and general nature lovers study birds. In language as lush and floral as Holzwarth's verdant outdoor scenes, Keating introduces a child who delighted in sitting patiently in the woods with "violets, tiger lilies, and trilliums at her feet," not only in order to watch birds, but also to take careful notes on their features and behavior. As an adult, outraged by the contemporary fashion of piling feathers and dead birds atop women's hats, she went on to a long lifetime of popularizing birdwatching rather than harvesting. She promoted protective legislation and led "bird walks" of local followers kitted out with opera glasses. Finally, "with the stirring song of a hermit thrush in her heart," she turned her years of notes into a series of field guides suitable for professionals and the general public alike. The author makes a solid case that the obscurity Bailey fell into after "her soul took wing" (as she puts it) in 1948 is undeserved. The illustrator closes with a labeled gallery of common birds for readers to spot on the earlier pages or, better yet, outdoors, following a set of basic bird-watching suggestions and guidelines. A few brown faces can be glimpsed among the groups of female students and bird lovers attired in flowing late-19th-century dress who attend the light-skinned crusader's lectures and expeditions. A high-toned and attractively illustrated profile. (author's note)(Picture-book biography. 7-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
