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

Davies, J. (2004). The boy who drew birds: A story of John James Audubon. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN: 0-618-24343-7

Author: Jacqueline Davies
Website: http://www.jacquelinedavies.net/

Illustrated by: Melissa Sweet
Website: http://melissasweet.net/
Media Used: Illustrations are made from mixed media using Twinrocker handmade papers, collage, and found objects.  The story text is set in Regula and the display type is Escrita.

Summary:  Sent to America by his father, John James befriends a pair of nesting birds and devises a way to answer whether those same exact birds will return to the same spot after leaving for the winter.

Personal Thoughts: A great biography book about John James Audubon.  This book captures a child's wonder and interest in the workings of nature.  Certain daily or reoccurring events that are often taken for granted (the birds returning in the spring - the sun rising from the east) are what intrigued some of our greatest scientist into beginning their investigations.  I would include this book in a Science or History lesson as an introduction to Audubon and bird watching and migration.  Davies website includes a helpful teacher's guide with lots of classroom suggestions.

Lesson Plan #2: Nature Journal

Curricular Connection:

• National Language Arts Standards, Grades 5 to 12
• Standard 6 -Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and non-print texts.
• Standard 7 - Students gather, evaluate, and synthesize data from a variety of sources.
• Standard 8 -Students use a variety of technological and information resources to create and communicate knowledge.
• National Science Education Standards, Grades 5 to 12
• Content Standard A - As a result of activities, students develop an understanding of scientific inquiry and abilities necessary for scientific inquiry.
• Content Standard C - As a result of activities, students develop an understanding of life science.
• California Education Standards, Grade 7
• Structure and Function in Living Systems #5 - The anatomy and physiology of plants and animals illustrate the complementary nature of structure and function.