For the Birds

Winner of the John Burroughs Nature Books for Young Readers Award

Here is the first children's biography of Roger Tory Peterson, a a global environmentalist who revolutionized the way we look at and appreciate birds, animals, and plants.

To some, he was "Professor Nuts Peterson" because of his dedication to his craft. Yet Roger Tory Peterson went on to create the immensely popular Peterson Guides, which have sold more than seven million copies, and which birders everywhere appreciate for their simple text and exquisite illustrations. Working closely with the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, New York, author Peggy Thomas and artist Laura Jacques have created a fascinating portrait of this great naturalist."An excellent addition to the 'sense of wonder' shelf."—Kirkus Reviews

"Biographical information, touching on such things as [Peterson's] three marriages, is appended, along with a note on The Peterson Effect, which helped people better appreciate the plight of birds and other animals. Thomas's prose and Jacques's art work in tandem to rescue Peterson from obscurity for this age range." —School Library Journal

"Weaving many avian metaphors into the text, Thomas creates an interesting and informative portrait of Peterson." —BooklistPeggy Thomas is the author of Farmer George Plants a Nation, an award-winning history and science picture book biography of George Washington, as well as more than a dozen other books for children. She lives in Middleport, New York, not far from the Roger Tory Peterson Institute.

Laura Jacques is an acclaimed artist whose work has focused on wildlife, nature, and environmental awareness for children.