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

by Kathi Appelt, Joy Fisher Hein (Illustrator)

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780060011093
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/04/2021
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	667,750
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 10.80(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Kathi Appelt is the author of the Newbery Honoree, National Book Award finalist, PEN USA Literary Award–winning, and bestselling The Underneath, as well as the National Book Award finalist The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp, Keeper, and many picture books, including Counting Crows. She has two grown children and lives in College Station, Texas, with her husband. Visit her at www.kathiappelt.com.

Joy Fisher Hein is an artist, painter, jewelry designer, sculptor, gardener, and illustrator. She has illustrated eight books. Joy’s work is collected by art appreciators living around our amazing planet. She enjoys sharing her love of art and nature with people of all ages. Joy is also a Texas Master Naturalist and certified to create Schoolyard Habitats for the National Wildlife Federation. She and her husband, Frank, an artist and a Professor Emeritus of Fine Arts, live in the Texas Hill Country.

Editorial Reviews

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

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 Johnson, 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. Lady Bird grew up in a rich and privileged household, but she lost her mother before she was six. She went to college-unusual for a woman in 1930-and there met and married Lyndon, following him on a political trajectory that led to Congress, the vice-presidency and then to president after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. She filled Washington with more cherry trees and with the daffodils she had loved as a child and urged the passing of the Highway Beautification Act. Now, more than 30 years later, interstate highways are free of junkyards and an endless procession of signs; instead, the native wildflowers Lady Bird loves are growing everywhere. Hein's delicate pictures are in bright, clear colors and her flowers instantly recognizable in broad vistas and intimate close-ups. (author's notes, endnotes, bibliography including Web sites) (Picture book/biography. 6-9)

Kirkus Reviews

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

“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

“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

From the Publisher

A charmingly illustrated volume.

Seattle Times

Joy Fisher Hein’s illustrations will captivate readers of all ages.

Austin American-Statesman

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

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

Joy Fisher Hein’s illustrations for the picture book give readers an easy lesson in wildflower identification.

Houston Chronicle

Joy Hein’s spectacular paintings veritably burst off the page.

Orlando Sentinel