Place these titles in the hands of budding young naturalists, and watch them soar. Ornithologists-to-be will flock to these profiles of John James Audubon and Louis Fuertes, while a picture book biography of conservationist Julia “Butterfly” Hill, who lived in a redwood tree to save it from loggers, will inspire tree huggers-in-training to new heights. And finally, kids who are just buggy about bugs won’t want to miss an illustrated examination of the life of entomologist Jean-Henri Fabre.

ENGLE, Margarita. The Sky Painter: Louis Fuertes, Bird Artist. illus. by Aliona Bereghici. 40p. Amazon/Two Lions. 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781477826331.

K-Gr 3 -This stellar picture book biography examines the life of Louis Agassiz Fuertes. Inspired by John James Audubon’s work but disgusted by the practice of killing and mounting birds in order to draw them, Fuertes was one of the first to paint birds while observing them in their natural habitat. Bereghici’s stunning watercolor and ink spreads practically fly off the page with their richly colored, realistic depictions of Fuertes’s environment and experiences. All but a few birds represented in the illustrations are artfully labeled. The narrative is told in the first person from Fuertes’s perspective, with helpful chapterlike headings appearing every few pages. The text is minimal, but Engle has selected strong, descriptive words to tell this story. This title would work well as a mentor text for demonstrating how to write a biography from the subject’s point of view. Readers will enjoy learning about how Fuertes’s passion for birds, which began from a very young age, led to a fulfilling career. VERDICT An excellent addition to science and biography collections.–Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID

Kostecki-Shaw, Jenny Sue. Luna & Me: The True Story of Girl Who Lived in a Tree to Save a Forest. illus. by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw. 40p. photos. Holt. May 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780805099768.

K-Gr 3 –Kostecki-Shaw’s beautifully illustrated picture book takes some liberties telling the story of Julia “Butterfly” Hill and her two-year stint tree-sitting in an ancient redwood to prevent its destruction by the Pacific Lumber Company. The tree, named Luna, is anthropomorphized through both text and images (“The redwood quivered with excitement, the way she always did when a new visitor arrived.”), and Hill is depicted as a young girl (and referred to as Butterfly), although she was in her early 20s when she began her 738-day tree-sit. This may be confusing to children, but Kostecki-Shaw clarifies in an author’s note that she made this choice so that the story would resonate more strongly with readers. The narrative is fascinating, with many jumping-off points for discussion with children (“And there wasn’t a bathroom.”; “To exercise, she climbed barefoot to the very top of Luna every morning.”). The logistics are thoughtfully considered, and Kostecki-Shaw is careful to emphasize the teamwork that went into making it possible for Hill to remain in her 180-foot high platform until Luna was safe. Rendered in acrylics, watercolors, salt, pencil, and collage, the delicate, exquisitely detailed illustrations portray Hill, Luna, and the flora and fauna of the forest that take shelter in the giant redwood. The visuals are the book’s strength, and readers will get a sense of the importance of protecting the environment. VERDICT There are few books for this age group that deal with local deforestation, making this charming introduction to environmentalism an ideal addition.–Jane Barrer, United Nations International School, New York City

Plain, Nancy. This Strange Wilderness: The Life and Art of John James Audubon. 112p. appendix. bibliog. ebook available. glossary. illus. index. notes. reprods. Univ. of Nebraska. 2015. pap. $19.95. ISBN 9780803248847.

Gr 7 Up –In this insightful biography, Plain demonstrates how naturalist and artist John James Audubon’s groundbreaking The Birds of America, published in England in 1827, rocked the art and science worlds through its depictions of birds in naturalistic poses and in their own habitats. Born in Haiti and raised in France, Audubon (1785–1851) displayed a passion for drawing early on. As an adult, living and working in the United States, he struggled to portray birds realistically, eventually using wires to hold his specimens on boards in lifelike poses. Readers will get a strong sense of how devoted the man was to his cause, often leaving his family to roam the American wilderness hunting birds or to work on his book in England. Through beautifully crafted prose, Plain vividly describes the land Audubon loved, often in his own words, quoted from his letters. Audubon’s stunning artwork is beautifully reproduced and paired with his thoughts on specific illustrations. Readers will also appreciate the inclusion of relevant paintings, photographs, and other images. This narrative of the life of a dedicated and hard-working figure is the story of an amazing individual and a glimpse into the natural history of the early United States. VERDICT An excellent addition to science and biography collections.–Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Smith, Matthew Clark. Small Wonders: Jean-Henri Fabre and His World of Insects. illus. by Giuliano Ferri. 40p. chron. notes. Amazon/Two Lions. May 2015. Tr. $17.99. ISBN 9781477826324. LC 2014915911.

Gr 2-5 –This enchanting picture book biography examines the life and work of 19th-century French entomologist Jean-Henri Fabre. Fairy tale–like in tone, the first few pages will easily draw in children, as Smith describes the actions of an old hermit who was considered a local eccentric by those in his village for his habit of speaking to animals and collecting insects (“Whether he was a sorcerer, or simply a madman, no one could agree.”). The villagers were shocked, however, when Fabre received a visit from the president of France. Readers are then taken back in time to learn about Fabre’s childhood, education, and ever-present interest in the natural world, as well as his unconventional teaching and writings on insect behavior. Indeed, he often shocked fellow scientists with his bizarre findings. Smith’s engaging text conveys Fabre’s zeal for his subject, while Ferri’s gorgeously detailed watercolor and pencil illustrations of plant life and insects beg readers to stop and look both at the pages as well as at the natural world around them. Historical and author’s notes and a useful time line add further context. VERDICT A must-have.–Jennifer Wolf, Beaverton City Library, OR