Bird Girl: Gene Stratton-Porter Shares Her Love of Nature with the World

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.