(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Sophie Blackall. In this first-person novel in verse, Burg (Serafina's Promise, rev. 9/13) imagines the life of the groundbreaking environmentalist from age eleven through adulthood. Rachel possesses a heightened awareness of nature and makes close observation of the plants, birds, and animals in the surrounding fields and woods. When a teacher praises her writing, she vows to become a writer of fiction. Many obstacles thwart her success, including multiple family crises, so she shifts her career ambitions to studying science. While the limitations on women in the field keep her from capitalizing on all the skills and scientific knowledge she acquires, she is persistent and publishes articles, pamphlets, letters, reports, and books -- laying the foundation for a global movement of environmental awareness and action. Burg's lyrical language keeps the focus on Carson's love of nature and raises many questions that prompt the reader to think critically; e.g., "Why is science considered / the realm of men? / Are we not all people?" and "When will man realize that he / is a part of nature, not its master?" Along with interspersed "Field Notes," Blackall's occasional black-and-white illustrations of plants and animals aptly suggest a kind of nature journal.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2024

(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Nikki McClure. This previously unpublished essay from "poet of science" Carson (1907–1964) is paired beautifully with McClure's cut-paper and swirling ink-wash art. In 1956, a children's television program asked Carson to respond to a child's request for "something about the sky." Her thoughts are as wonderfully ruminative as one might expect from the environmental scientist and nature-writing icon. She chooses the familiar -- clouds -- and connects them to "the ocean in the air," detailing natural phenomena with emphasis on the interconnectivity of Earth's air and water systems. Or, better summarized by Carson: "Clouds are as old as the earth itself -- as much a part of our world as land or sea. They are the writing of the wind on the sky. They are the cosmic symbols of a process without which life itself could not exist on earth." McClure's illustrations are limited mostly to blue, black, and white, highlighting the space and movement of air, wind, oceans, and sky in background washes. Cut-paper images of people in the foreground connect the science concepts to human experiences. In an endnote, McClure explains the origins of Carson's essay, how the book project came about, and the thoughtful and resourceful process she used to create the illustrations.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(2) Illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon. 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.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(2) 4-6 Poised between novel and information book, this story features Samantha, an eleven-year-old wildlife enthusiast who finds joy and excitement in a neglected natural area she christens Winghaven. An anxious new kid in town, she has to cope with a school bully and overly busy parents. Such conventional middle-grade plot elements pale beside crisp, detailed descriptions of the natural world -- the particular mating flight of mourning doves, the ingenious sand traps of the antlion, a close-up of a muskrat lodge: "The mother muskrat reached out and pulled a plant to her mouth with one tiny, four-fingered black hand, drawing it to yellowed teeth." Samantha and her new pal Bram, a photographer, brave the challenges of ticks, poison ivy, the slog of data collection, and adult cynicism to organize a campaign to save Winghaven from property developers, using a data-based argument involving the essential relationship between milkweed and the monarch butterfly. Samantha's field notebook of observations and sketches provides a parallel narrative and could certainly inspire young citizen scientists and activists. Back matter includes "Notes for Young Naturalists," with book recommendations and links to such projects as the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jeanette Winter. This nonfiction picture book spotlights the decades-long data collection project of billy barr, a contemporary citizen scientist who spells his name using all lowercase letters and has spent over fifty years living alone (not counting a skunk and pine marten) in the Rocky Mountains. To pass the time, barr began observing and measuring his natural surroundings: snowfall and snowpack, animal hibernation, wildflower blossoms, and more. After years of recording in his notebooks, he shared patterns he noticed with a scientist he knew who studied climate change. "These measurements proved that the earth was getting warmer." Now, his data is used by climate scientists around the world, and he continues to live in the mountain wilderness and collect and record data using a computer. The account unfolds chronologically using a straightforward, line break filled text. barr's name and specific location are not revealed until the concluding author's note (and brief bibliography), keeping the story focused on his process and impact rather than on the "man on the mountain" himself. Illustrations are set against plentiful white space in Jeanette Winter's trademark colorful, painterly style reminiscent of folk art. A variety of perspectives, including double-page landscapes, offer readers opportunities to connect with the setting and join the protagonist in tracking changes in it over time. The Winters here celebrate how a long-term commitment to a personal project can become an informational resource that inspires future study and action.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Megan Elizabeth Baratta. Dunlap begins her illustrated biography with a question posed by Thoreau in a school report, his earliest known writing: "Why do the seasons change?" She anchors the book solidly in primary-source material, following Thoreau's copious recorded observations of nature, including his classic work Walden, crafting an insightful and vivid portrait for readers. Baratta's delicately detailed illustrations, which appear to be rendered in watercolor and ink, feature the birds, butterflies, trees, and other parts of nature Thoreau talked about in his journals and letters; each specimen is carefully labeled with its common and/or scientific name (such as "birdsfoot violet / Viola pedata"). A timeline runs across the bottom of many pages, marking days of the year as the book moves through the seasons with specific notes Thoreau made on a particular day: "June 5, Woodpecker nest in apple tree." Dunlap discusses the importance of her subject's work in a modern-day study of climate change, encouraging readers to become citizen scientists and record what they see, too. The biography reflects not just Thoreau's interest in natural history but also his political stances (he and his family were passionate abolitionists), his interest in scientific thought (he read On the Origin of Species with keen interest), and his relationships with other notable contemporaries, including Ralph Waldo Emerson and Louisa May Alcott. An excellent introduction to Thoreau and the turbulent times in which he lived.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2022

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Chris Turnham. Readers meet poet and conservationist William Stanley Merwin (1927–2019) as a child, reading a book in his clover-and-dandelion-studded backyard. Alas, that's the closest he can get to the "wild places" he loves, as his family lives in a town "where the wild parts had been straightened out." This is depicted by Turnham as an oppressive grid, with smoke issuing from automobiles, chimneys of identical row houses, and a factory. Summertimes, though, are spent in the woods, "where trees grew where their seeds had fallen." As a young man, Stanley realizes "writing poetry was like visiting a wild place," but he still yearns to live among nature and moves to Hawaii. There he finds a plot of land on Maui that's been "wounded" by chemicals--and that he heals over decades until it is a thriving wilderness. Fountain uses a spare text that emphasizes Merwin's role of conservationist over that of poet (she does append one poem following her author's note). The metaphor of "unstraightening" is effective, and the message that "poisoned" land can be healed with care and time is a bracing one. Turnham's crisp illustrations are somewhat more effective for the "straightened-out" scenes than for Merwin's wilderness, where muted tones fail to capture true lushness, but his palm trees do spread out in profusion.

Reviewer: Vicky Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022

(3) K-3 Raised in the mid-1800s by an outdoorsy father and astronomer mother ("It was quite unusual for a woman to study science in those days"), Florence Merriam Bailey grew up "surrounded by trees" and drawn to the birds that flew among them. As an adult, her compassion compelled her to launch protests against the killing of birds for fashion, sport, or study, all the while becoming a leading ornithologist herself. Appealingly textured mixed-media collage illustrations place a maturing Florence against vast double-page spreads of sky, forest, and city; the playful use of perspective depicts her as a small but steady presence among grander ecosystems. This is a bright and accessible introduction to a woman whose quiet advocacy left a lasting impact, complete with easy suggestions for budding birders and environmentalists to follow in Bailey's observant footsteps. An author's note and resource list are appended.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by William Goldsmith. This creatively rendered biography-in-comics, with Muir's imagined voice as narrator, is filled with the naturalist's adventures, from his childhood in Scotland to his pioneering conservation work and formation of America's National Parks. Illustrator Goldsmith's Muir is a feisty character, portrayed in loose pencil sketches with one or two accent colors. Vibrant spreads in the chapter transitions and interludes capture the stunning landscapes in which Muir found his purpose. Timeline. Glos.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(3) YA Illustrated by Teagan White. Darwin's groundbreaking argument for biological evolution is made accessible for today's teens, with edits for language and length and the removal of now-inaccurate ideas. After a brief biographical introduction, Stefoff's adapted text follows the structure of Darwin's original but is augmented with well-captioned photographs and diagrams, helpful annotations, and sidebars that explain the work of his contemporaries and today's modern understandings. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jennifer L. Meyer. In this fourth book (Skunked! etc.), the Tate family's prize dog, Ajax, gets quilled twice by a porcupine. Each time, nature- and animal-loving Calpurnia acts quickly to help him, even though the quill removal is difficult and painful for her to watch. The scary situation is softened by Calpurnia's bright first-person narration. Detailed black-and-white illustrations capture both the urgency and warmth of the story.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) YA The seventeenth-century entomologist, ecologist, and artist fully comes to life in this absorbing biography. Richly illustrated with over a hundred images, including those by Merian, her daughters, and their contemporaries, this comprehensive book presents Merian's personality and unique contributions while also providing ample insight into the era in which she worked. The authors' scholarly backgrounds are on display in the depth and detail of coverage. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Erica Wetter

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Katherine Roy. Rosenstock presents a gripping account of Otis Barton and Will Beebe's historic 1930 journey into the deep ocean. Otis and Will were fascinated by ocean life as boys. As adults, they partner up, and with a team of scientists build the Bathysphere, a five-thousand-pound diving tank. Roy's fluid watercolors and dramatic perspectives capture the heart-pounding emotion of the scientists' dangerous journey eight hundred feet underwater. Bib.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2018

(1) 4-6 Excellent reproductions of seventeenth-century German naturalist Merian's gorgeous--and groundbreaking--illustrations of butterflies and moths let readers appreciate their accurate scientific detail and artistry. Merian's biography is told in twelve chapters titled with butterfly life-cycle stages, and Sidman's accompanying photographs illustrate each stage. The book includes numerous excerpts from Merian's journals, historical illustrations, and maps. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2018

(4) 4-6 With Brenda Z. Guiberson. Naturalist Hutto finds abandoned wild turkey eggs and raises the flock, ever-mindful of his responsibility to keep the turkeys both safe and wild. For two years Joe is "mother," learning of turkeys' intelligence and curiosity, mourning when some die, and adjusting when they become independent. A third-person narrative feels at odds with the personal, intimate true story. Hutto's sketches and photos are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jennifer L. Meyer. This third entertaining chapter book retains the solid setting and believable characters of the earlier titles (Counting Sheep; Skunked!) but offers even more natural science. Calpurnia and her beloved grandfather rescue an injured owl, care for it, and release it into the wild. Generous spot art illustrates important plot points and supports the science.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Jennifer L. Meyer. In this second book (Skunked!), aspiring naturalist/veterinarian Callie is more immersed in her science and beginning to put her newfound skills into practice as she helps town veterinarian Dr. Pritzker with a lamb's difficult breech birth. Detailed black-and-white illustrations reinforce the historical setting and highlight action. Delicate leafy branches decorate the top of each page, subtly underscoring Callie's scientific interests.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2016

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Catherine Stock. Carolus Linnaeus (née Karl Linné) pioneered a classification system for living things that is still in use today. In this imaginative portrayal, Linnaeus's enthusiasm and dedication to systematic and organized investigation of the natural world come through. Sanchez takes readers step-by-step through Linnaeus's process. In Stock's lush illustrations, the plants and animals of Sweden and the world surround Linnaeus from infancy to old age. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2017

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jessica Lanan. During the late ninteenth century, when few women studied science, Anna Comstock became a Cornell-educated naturalist and artist; she championed the then-revolutionary concept of outdoor nature classes for children. Quiet, reflective prose, interspersed with quotations from Comstock's writings, highlights her passionate connection to nature, while the illustrations' translucent washes of leafy greens and yellows bring the outdoor world to life. "More About Anna" is appended.

Reviewer: Debora Pearson

(2) YA Living with her family in Yellowstone, Darcy finds a wounded grizzly. Recovering from an illness herself, Darcy feels a connection with the bear and tries to help her, not realizing her intervention reduces the bear's chances of survival. Thebo treads delicately between realism and fantasy; her imaginative play with realistic wilderness experience and Darcy's peculiar, lightheaded condition make this an unusual and surprising read.

Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2017