Robert Bateman: The Boy Who Painted Nature. Text by Margriet Ruurs anc artwork by Robert Bateman. Orca Book Publishers. 2018. $29.95 all ages

"As Bobby grew into Bob,
he learned the names of plants and animals.
He painted the shapes and
patterns of the world around
him.
He carved wood into birds,
noticing the details of
feathers and form. He drew
tracks of a a deer and followed a rabbit's trail."

Robert Bateman's early life was spent noticing and capturing the beauty in the world around him. Ms. Ruurs describes his days and doings in that natural environment from a very young age. He proved to be an extraordinarily gifted observer of nature, forgoing the things that others his age were doing in pursuit of studying tadpoles, using a field guide to help with the identification of the birds he spied on his long walks, and sketching, sketching, sketching. He noticed variety in color, the way light looked at every time of the day, and dreamt of always discovering more.

As he grew older, he traveled the world. He drew what he saw everywhere he went. He wanted others to see the beauty in what he was seeing. With marriage and the arrival of his children, he turned to teaching, and painting whenever he could. His paintings now hang in galleries, museums, peoples' homes, and corporate offices. They enlighten those who might never have a chance to see the natural wonders of this world. Today, he shows his grandchildren his enduring love on walks through nearby forests.

"He tells them to pay attention to the
details of nature all around them.

He picks up a feather, and when his
grandchildren notice its softness and curve,
he helps them to draw and paint the beauty
of nature." 

Using Mr. Bateman’s notebooks, family-album photographs, and realistic artwork provides the perfect accompaniment to the story told. Ever a conservationist, this book pays homage to his tireless work, his incredible artistic legacy, and his enduing fascination with the world.

The final pages provide additional glimpses into the life of this Officer of the Order of Canada, and recipient of a World Wildlife Fund Member of Honour Award, the Governor General's Award for Conservation and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society Gold Medal.