Bird Girl
Gene Stratton-Porter Shares Her Love of Nature with the World
1 of 1 copy available
Gene Stratton-Porter was a farm girl who fell in love with birds, from the chickens whose eggs she collected to the hawks that preyed on them. When she grew up, Gene wanted nothing more than to share her love of birds with the world. She wrote stories about birds, but when a magazine wanted to publish them next to awkward photos of stuffed birds, she knew she had to take matters into her own hands. Teaching herself photography, Gene began to take photos of birds in the wild. Her knowledge of birds and how to approach them allowed her to get so close you could count the feathers of the birds in her photos. Her work was unlike anything Americans had ever seen before—she captured the true lives of animals in their natural habitat. A pioneering wildlife photographer and one of the most popular authors of the early 20th century, this bird girl showed the world the beauty of nature and why it was worth preserving.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
March 12, 2024 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9781635926873
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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January 1, 2024
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 (1863�? 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 Flynn(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
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February 1, 2024
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(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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March 1, 2024
Grades 1-3 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, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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October 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 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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January 1, 2024
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 (1863-1924) 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.(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
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