The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies

The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon Reviews

• 
  Kathryn

  4.5 STARS Wonderful biography of John James Audubon's early years as a naturalist and artist. The story focuses on his time in America and his study of the phoebe bird and trying to definitively answer two questions that had pestered scientists for over two thousand years: Where do small birds go in the winter? Do the same birds come back to the same nests each spring? In the early 1800s, scientists had differing viewpoints. Some agreed with Aristotle's two-thousand-year old theory that small birds hibernated under water or in hollow logs all winter. Others believed birds transformed from one kind to another each winter. One scientist claimed that birds traveled to the moon each fall and returned in the spring (a trip taking 60 days)! (You should have seen my kids' faces when I read this! They were so astonished and amused!) Audubon came up with the idea of tying a string to the legs of the fledgling phoebe birds in the so he could see if they came back the following spring. And, of course, they did! The story is full of his joy and exuberance as a budding naturalist and artist, though it did pain me to hear that he burned all of his artwork on his birthday every year because he didn't feel it was good enough yet. The notes and bibliography at the back round out the story. I appreciate that Audubon's painting of the Pewee Flycatcher (now called the Eastern Phoebe) from 1825 is included. The illustrations are excellent with both the historical feel of the settings and the naturalist aspects conveying ideas of Audubon's sketches and notebooks. Highly recommend though note if you have sensitive readers there is one spread in the story that shows photographic items from Audubon's attic "museum" and the dead, dried frog and lizard might be a bit too much realism for them.
• 
  Manybooks

  So yes, most definitely and in many ways, the general, the basic combination of Jaqcueline Davies' featured text and Melissa Sweet's accompanying artwork for their 2004 picture book biography about John James Audobon is both narrationally and visually spectacular and stunning, with Davies' printed words for The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon reading both engagingly and enlighteningly and showing not only how much John James Audobon loved and was interested in birds (as well as ecology, avian behaviour, including questions regarding bird migration before this even became a topic for discussion) but also how Audobon started drawing birds in order to capture them visually (and I certainly did not know that John James Audubon was originally from France).
  
  However, as much as I have enjoyed The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audobon (and really do appreciate that both author and illustrator, that both Jaqueline Davies and Melissa Sweet have included source notes, and not to mention that the bibliography with suggrestions for further reading is maybe short but also more than sufficiently detailed), I do have two rather massive personal bones of contention regarding The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audobon. For one, I really do wish Jacqueline Davies had also mentioned either within the text proper of The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon or in a supplemental informational blurb that although John James Audobon indeed did a lot of avian observations and drawing birds in nature, he unfortunately also was still often and regularly huntiung, killing and stuffing bird specimens in order to later draw them, a common enough practice in the 19th century to be sure (and even well into the 20th centruy), but considering that individuals like Audobon and other birders (and artists) also contributed to bird species like for example the Ivory Billed Woodpecker becoming increasingly rare and finally extinct, I do personally think that this should be mentioned in a critical manner by Jacqueline Davies and not just be pretty much totally ignored. And for two, even though Melissa Sweet's illustrations are aesthetically outstanding, delightful and wonderfully, colourfully mirror Jacqueline Davies' text, I do find it more than a bit annoying and problematic that there are in fact no actual examples of John James Audobon's own art, of his own avian drawings included in The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audobon (something that I do think kind of makes this book a trifle visually lacking, since first and foremost, John James Audobon is of course known for his artisty, for his meticulously beautiful and lifelike bird drawings).
• 
  Nancy Kotkin

  Text: 3 stars
  Illustrations: 4 stars
  
  Picture book biography about John James Audubon. His bird drawings are discussed, but this book focuses more on his migration tracking experiment and his early life. It's a text-heavy picture book, yet only provides a slice of Audubon's life, not a comprehensive look at his achievements. Bibliography included.
  
  While the old-fashioned clothing, mention of "Napoleon's war," and use of candles are all clues that the book is set in the past, I doubt that most picture book readers will be able to figure out the actual time period. At least not until (or unless) they read the single-page bio of Audubon at the back of the book. Why not state the year on the first page of the book's text so that young readers don't have to wonder?
  
  The watercolor illustrations are nice, but the more heavily collaged pages (for which Melissa Sweet is known) are spectacular. Unfortunately there is not as much collage in this book as there is in her later work.
  
• 
  Ebookwormy1

  The illustration of this book is a fitting tribute to an artist whose fascination with birds revolutionized the study of these amazing animals. This is not a full biography, but rather a snap shot of Audubon. Don't let the brevity of the work dissuade you because the themes the author has chosen to expound upon are powerful and highly applicable to children.
  
  I loved Davies' emphasis on Audubon's relationship with his father and brief references to how the Napoleonic Wars shaped his life by forcing his father to remove his son from France and set him up in America (in order to avoid the 'draft' such as it was). The simple logic of the development of Audubon's innovative studies was well done and imminently accessible to children. But what made this book sing was the way the author illuminated what a weird bird Audubon himself actually was! What a joy that a strange boy whom peers and elders couldn't fathom found his way into a profession for which he was uniquely crafted and at which he excelled! A wonderful inspiration to all who have ever felt outside the mainstream while growing up. Highly recommended.
• 
  Lisa Vegan

  This is an excellent picture book biography about Audubon, and it’s wonderfully illustrated too.
  
  I learned so much about Audubon and also about the history (and theories) of bird migration. His story is a very interesting one, though the bulk of this story covers a relatively short period of time.
  
  The pictures are so engaging. There is so much to so many of them, and they’re created with a variety of methods and in more than one style.
  
  I have to say that as a person with a huge sentimental streak, it was painful for me to read that on his birthday every year Audubon destroyed all the drawings he’d done the previous year. The book didn’t say how many year’s worth of (to me precious) drawings were destroyed. It always distresses me when writers, artists, composers, and other creators of work destroy their own works, especially when they do so because they think their work is not yet worthy of preserving. But all that was just a couple sentences in this book.
  
  4 ½ stars
• 
  Kelley

  This one inspired me to pick up a paint brush - something I haven't done in years. Must. Own.
• 
  Ashley Adams

  A youthful John James Audubon's fervor for feathered creatures led him to tie string to the legs of some of the birds he observed. This process of bird-banding helped to prove that many small birds migrate in the winter, and return later to their "home" nest.
• 
  Stacy

  Wish it had been a little longer.
• 
  Elisabeth Ensor

  Beautiful Illustrations!!! Short story on a portion of John James life but a great read aloud for young kids
• 
  Amber

  I enjoyed this and learned a lot. I hadn't known Audubon's story. It was interesting. I like it when the author talks about sources and such, and in this book both the author and illustrator did. It seemed the author was trying to be true to fact, which I always appreciate. The illustrator went to the place where the main story in the text took place and did research there, which was neat. I thought the illustrations were okay overall and really nice in some places, some of the collages.
• 
  Tricia

  I knew that Audobon painted amazing bird illustrations, but I did not know that he was innovative in early ornithological research. The illustration style is quite lush. Nice story about discovery and persistence.
• 
  Tessa

  This is a lovely little introduction to Audubon. I would happily read it to slightly older kids who are interested in natural science.
• 
  Teresa Forsberg

  This was a short children’s book about John James Audubon, the first to discover and document how birds migrate and return to their same homes each year. He was also famous for painting birds and he wrote a book on ornithology.
• 
  Andrea

  This beautiful picture book tells the story of how John James used the scientific method to solve a mystery that had been debated by scientists for hundreds of years. The climax of the book is when he realizes that his hypothesis was true. It is so heartwarming! Totally inspiring for kids and adults!
• 
  Katie Fitzgerald

  Subject
  John James Audubon (1785-1851) was an American naturalist best known for his book, The Birds of America.
  
  Scope
  The text of this book briefly describes Audubon's childhood, but then quickly makes the leap to his arrival in the United States at the age of 18. While Audubon works to learn English and find a way to earn a living, he also begins exploring his questions surrounding where small birds go in winter and whether they return to the same nest. The majority of the book focuses on the banding experiment Audubon does to determine the answers to these questions.
  
  About the Illustrations
  The illustrations are pretty typical of Melissa Sweet's work, which usually incorporates different styles, media, and materials. The pictures in this book are a mix of specimens, scenes from Audubon's life, and portraits of other famous scientists, including Aristotle. Also included (obviously) are many pictures of birds.
  
  Author's Note
  There are four notes at the back of the book. The first is "About John James Audubon," which explains the significance of banding at the time of Audubon's original experiment. It also tells what happened immediately following the events covered by the main text of the book, and it is accompanied by a picture of an original watercolor by Audubon, depicting the pewee flycatcher. The "Author's Source Note" and "Illustrator's Source Note" talk about the research behind the creators' contributions to the book, and finally, the bibliography provides resources for further reading.
  
  Additional Comments
  This book does a nice job of providing proper context for its subject matter, and it strikes a nice balance between telling Audubon's entire life story and highlighting his main contributions to his field. A young reader would not have a complete understanding of everything Audubon has ever done from reading this book, but he or she would certainly have a strong foundation of information about him, and a platform from which to pursue further studies on ornithology. I also thought the author chose really memorable details to engage the reader. For example, I was really surprised to learn that prior to Audubon's experiments, some scientists believed that birds flew to the moon for the winter, and that it took them 60 days to get there!
• 
  Laura

  A very well done work of nonfiction. This story tells about the childhood of James Audubon, who became know for his beautiful bird paintings. As I read the book, I realized that I knew almost nothing about Audubon as a person and I appreciate the brief but interesting look into his childhood. Sent to live in the United States from France, John James continues to observe nature and draw what he sees. Jacqueline Davies does a wonderful job of summarizing what scientist knew, and did not know, about birds in the early 1800s. John James decides to band some young birds one fall to see if they return the next spring. A simple yet elegant way to find out more about birds, and John James was the first person to think of doing this in North America.
  
  I loved this book because it does a wonderful job of conveying John James' curiosity and thinking process. It also includes interesting questions about science and nature. Melissa Sweet's artwork is also fun -- her drawings and use of mixed media lends itself well to the story.
  
  Highly recommended for students in grades 2 - 4. This is a wonderful selection to use not only in animal units but also as a way to learn about how scientists study the world.
• 
  Sarah Shufelt

  John James Audubon is known as the master of drawing and painting birds. Illustrator Melissa Sweet’s mixed media illustrations are somewhat successful in bringing Audubon’s story to life, but author Jacqueline Davies does Audubon a disservice. The text describes a story where a young John James is interested in whether the birds he observed returned to the same area after migrating elsewhere for the winter. The abrupt start and end to the book is confusing and the pacing throughout the story is woefully inconsistent. Random insertions of French seem forced and in the end, the book is an unsatisfying experience.
• 
  Skye Kilaen

  It’s tough to write an engaging biography in children’s picture book form. Davis nails it, and Sweet’s gorgeous drawings, paintings, and collages are a treat. They succeed by limiting the book to a particular part of Audubon’s life, and using details of his upbringing and his personality to make him come alive. Great book about observation and learning, the natural world, and a pleasure to read.
• 
  Brenda Kahn

  Found this on the "new" book shelf at the library but learned it was published 11 years ago! How did I miss it? I wasn't as much of a birder then, I guess. The biography is lovely and pitched perfectly for kids with absolutely gorgeous illustrations.
• 
  Amanda

  Beautiful illustrations and an excellent look into the beginning of Audubon's quest to study birds. My bird watchers loved this one!
• 
  Katja Labonté

  3 stars & 3/10 hearts. This is a fun, informative little book with a touch of whimsicalness. The illustrations are lovely (my favourite pages are the ones about Audubon's « musée »—it makes me think of Ishmael's attic in Victoria Minks’ “Jonas & Olivia”). And the French is correct (a pet peeve of mine, people ;)) for the most part—I found one mistake in Audubon's letter to his father and I'm not sure if that is Audubon's mistake or not.
  
  Favourite Quote: “[‘]Madame Thomas!’ he shouted, bursting into the farmhouse kitchen. ‘Il y a des oiseaux!’ [...]
  “Mrs. Thomas [...] pointed her long wooden spoon at John James's muddy shoes. He quickly took them off and placed them by the fire to dry. [...]
  “‘I see birds. Two. In cave. Beautiful!’
  “Mrs. Thomas frowned. She was fond of this energetic French boy. And yet she had to admit that he was something of a cracked pot. Birds! Always birds! [...]
  “‘Master Audubon,’ she scolded, ‘thou wouldst do well to do God's work by tending the farm more and chasing after birds less.’”
• 
  Lois

  This picture book focuses on Audubon's youthful interest in birds. The backmatter contains info about him being the first person to band birds with a silver thread. When the banded birds returned in the spring to the nesting area, he knew the answer to a long-wondered question about whether they were the same birds or new ones. Davies added a bibliography and research information and explained how even though certain details aren't documented, it made sense that Audubon had done the things she mentioned in the story. Audubon was born in France and came to America as a teenager, and she includes a few French words along with several birding words. Marvelous illustrations by Melissa Sweet whose Illustrator's Source Note reveals her research visits to Mill Grove, PA, the setting for the story, and the J. J. Audubon State Park in KY. I highly recommend this well-written biography.
  
• 
  Patricia

  The combination of Jacqueline Davies' sympathetic writing of a young man forced out of his native country by the Napoleonic wars, and discovering his love of birds, with Melissa Sweet's pictures skillfully drawn, and matching Audubon's curiosity, makes reading this book a special pleasure. It helps that I am an amateur birdwatcher, and interested in Audubon's life. The fact that he burned his drawings which he thought inferior is fascinating, considering how accomplished he became as a mature artist.
  
  I only wish they had reproduced one of the actual paintings of Audubon from his masterwork. It is hard to recognize the actual phoebe from the watercolor included in the book.
  
  But this is a good introduction to the man for whom one of the great environmental group is named.
• 
  Gina

  Interesting insight into the name that is synonymous with birds, and yet we don't know a lot for the most part.
  
  That he would annually burn his drawings, hoping he would draw ones worth keeping in the future, could be encouraging for readers struggling to develop various skills.
  
  His innovative attempt at banding birds and that process could lead to discussions about field studies and scientific method.
  
  Appeals to both scientific and artistic interests.
• 
  Maria Berg

  I loved this book. It was full of fun information that I didn't know about Audubon. The collage illustrations of watercolors and found objects looked like they could have been a birders research journal. The whole book is lovely.