"One day when she was older,
Florence visited the big city and
she saw lots and lots of rare birds.
But these birds were NOT on trees.
People thought wearing birds
on hats looked beautiful."
To a woman who loved birds, and spent her life seeing, appreciating, and listening to their songs and languages, the only feeling Florence Merriam Bailey felt about these hats was disgust. It made her even more determined to ensure she would learn as much as she could about birds, and how to protect them.
Learn about them she did. Using a camera, notebook, pencil and binoculars, (and her two ears), Florence got out into nature and listened ever more quietly. Knowing she must make a difference, she set to work. She started talking about birds, their songs, even writing a field guide to American birds. Always, she encouraged those who would listen to use binoculars, not guns, to get closer to the birds; to choose the outdoors, not a lab, to study them.
"Soon, there were even more beautiful
sounds in the air. But this time,
they came from people! They were
raising their voices, and things began
to change."
Lovely, textured collages are created in gorgeous colors. These images encourage the reader to see the magic found in nature as Florence saw it. Her quiet journeys through this natural world show readers the power to be found in truly listening. Her dedication to that life of listening and protecting the birds she so loved is admirable - she was a hero. Her story is important.
Back matter includes further historical information about Ms. Bailey, a note concerning the help still needed for birds today, and a list of resources to be used from various corners of the world.
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