Olivia's Birds: Saving the Gulf

by Olivia Bouler (Author)

Olivia's Birds: Saving the Gulf
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

One 11 year-old girl can make a difference-as budding ornithologist and artist Olivia Bouler has proven, single-handedly raising over $175,000 for the Gulf Coast oil spill recovery. Devastated by the disaster and eager to do her part, Olivia wrote a letter to Audubon, "11 years old and willing to help" offering her own bird paintings to raise contributions for Gulf recovery efforts. The idea took flight, and Olivia proceeded to send out over 500 paintings, many of which are captured in this lavish picture book that recaps her valiant campaign to save birds affected by the spill.

Written in her own words, this unique introduction to backyard and endangered birds features Olivia's hand-drawn illustrations, bird facts, and full-color photos celebrating Olivia's campaign. Olivia's Birds supports Audubon's conservation mission, including Gulf Coast cleanup efforts and is printed on FSC eco-friendly paper.

A 2012 Parents' Choice Gold Awards winner!

Select format:
Hardcover
$17.99

ALA/Booklist

Starred Review
It's always a pleasure to find a book that's not just good--it's about doing good ...This book features her charming illustrations, captioned with snippets of information about particular species...This makes for a terrific package that should inspire children in lots of ways: to use their talents, to help their communities, and to make a difference in the world.

Publishers Weekly

Eleven-year-old Bouler, who raised more than $150,000 for the Audubon Society's Gulf Coast oil spill recovery efforts through the sale of her bird paintings, pairs her artwork with casual, informative passages to create an upbeat lesson on bird identification, habitat, and nature preservation. Birds are organized according to kid-friendly classifications, like "Birds That Live in the Woods" and "Weird & Wacky Birds," including the pyrrhuloxia and Eastern phoebe ("Dogs wag their tails—and so do these birds perched on a branch!"). Bouler's depictions of familiar birds like the Canada goose, bald eagle, and hummingbird are carefully observed and spirited; her vivacious attitude may inspire ecologically minded readers to get involved. Ages 3-9. (May)

Copyright 2011 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5--An 11-year-old from Long Island spends her vacations on the Gulf Coast with her grandparents. After hearing about the April 2010 oil spill, she volunteered to raise money to save the birds endangered by the disaster. A self-proclaimed "decent drawer," she wrote to the Audubon Society and offered to sell her drawings as a fundraiser (she raised more than $150,000). Her love of birds and drawing gives the book touching beauty and lyricism. The child's straightforward voice is engaging, evocative, and insightful, and her bird-watching advice is spot-on--"And don't just look up. I once found a hummingbird nest on the ground of a wooded area." Her lively drawings capture the avian personalities, often with just a few lines. The letter she wrote is reproduced and she encourages children and adults to participate in environmental causes. Budding naturalists, artists, and activists will be inspired and galvanized by Olivia Bouler.--Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes




Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781402786655
Lexile Measure
880
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Sterling
Publication date
April 05, 2011
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF003030 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Animals | Birds
JNF037020 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Environmental Conservation & Protection
Library of Congress categories
Birds
Nature conservation
Parents Choice Awards (Spring) (2008-Up)
Gold Medal Winner 2012 - 2012
Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award
Nominee 2014 - 2014

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