Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers: How a First Lady Changed America

In this warm, engaging look at the life of a great First Lady, Kathi Appelt tells the story behind Lady Bird Johnson's environmental vision. Joy Fisher Hein's colorful wildflowers burst from every page, inviting us to share in Lady Bird's love for natural beauty. 

From a lonely childhood in the Piney Woods of East Texas to an exciting life in the White House, Lady Bird Johnson loved wildflowers with all her heart. They were her companions in her youth, greeting her everywhere as she explored wild forests, bayous, and hills. 

Later, as First Lady, she sought to bring the beauty of wildflowers to America's cities and highways. She wanted to make sure every child could enjoy the splendor of wildflowers.

Perfect for sharing in classrooms and at home for Women's History Month as well as for units on Texas, presidential family, and environmental history, this unique picture book biography is accessible and appealing.

This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share in the classroom and for homeschooling.

Bluebonnets and lady's slippers, larkspurs and blazing stars, black-eyed Susans and Granny's nightcaps.

From a lonely childhood in the Piney Woods of East Texas to an exciting life in the White House, Lady Bird Johnson loved these wildflowers with all her heart. They were her companions in her youth, greeting her everywhere as she explored wild forests, bayous, and hills. Later, as First Lady, she sought to bring the beauty of wildflowers to America's cities and highways. She wanted to make sure every child could enjoy the splendor of wildflowers.

In this warm, engaging look at the life of a great First Lady, Kathi Appelt tells the story behind Lady Bird Johnson's environmental vision. Joy Fisher Hein's colorful wildflowers burst from every page, inviting us to share in Lady Bird's love for natural beauty.

“Causes célèbres are commonplace among First Ladies, but few are as accessible to children as the wildflower-planting campaigns of Lady Bird Johnson. This is ideally suited for children lucky enough to attend schools where gardens are part of the curriculum; elsewhere, a stroll through Hein’s stunning gouache meadowlands may be the next best thing.” - Booklist

“This warmly attractive volume tells a graceful braid of stories: the life of Lady Bird Johhson, the wife of a president; the tale of a lonely child who found solace in the landscape and flora of east Texas; and the work of a First Lady who sought to bring beauty of the wilder sort into the highways of America. Hein’s delicate pictures are in bright, clear colors and her flowers instantly recognizable in broad vistas and intimate close-ups.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Tells how the seeds of Lady Bird’s love of the outdoors were planted in her childhood. Hein’s paintings show off the flowers to beautiful effect.” - Publishers Weekly

“Colorful pictures add sparkle to the work. Vividly colored wildflowers bloom in almost every scene, adding to the book’s visual appeal.” - Dallas Morning News

“A colorful and readable account of Lady Bird Johnson’s life and her work to restore the public spaces of America.” - Grand Rapids Press

“Joy Hein’s spectacular paintings veritably burst off the page.” - Orlando Sentinel

“A charmingly illustrated volume.” - Seattle Times

“Joy Fisher Hein’s illustrations will captivate readers of all ages.” - Austin American-Statesman

“Joy Fisher Hein’s illustrations for the picture book give readers an easy lesson in wildflower identification.” - Houston Chronicle