Bird Girl - by Jill Esbaum (Hardcover)

About the Book

"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"--

Book Synopsis

This lively STEAM picture book is about the life of Gene Stratton-Porter, a pioneering wildlife photographer and popular author from the late 19th and early 20th century, who showed the world the beauty of nature, especially birds, and why it was worth preserving.

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.

Review Quotes

2025 Kansas NEA Reading Circle List
2025 Capitol Choices

"Esbaum's...conversational text engagingly conveys her subject's single-minded pursuit of her passion: sharing her love of birds with the world. Gibbon's...evocative acrylic-ink and colored-pencil illustrations depict the era and the beauty of the environs." --The Horn Book

"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." --Booklist

"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." --Kirkus Reviews

"A captivating biography of Gene Stratton-Porter, a bird lover and photographer... 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...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.--School Library Journal

About the Author

Jill Esbaum is an author of more than 100 books for children. She is well-known for Teeny Tiny Toady, which made the Kirkus Best Picture Books of 2016 list, and I Hatched, a NY Times Editor's Choice. Her recent books include Jack Knight's Brave Flight, a Bank Street Best Book.

Rebecca Gibbon is an award-winning illustrator. Her titles include Nellie vs. Elizabeth, which made the Bank Street Best Books list and was one of Smithsonian Magazine's Ten Best Children's Books of 2022, and Marjory Saves the Everglades, which received more than six honors, including the NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students list. Her work has also made the ALA Notable Book list and received starred reviews from PW and School Library Journal.