Audubon: John James’ Birds and Words

John James Audubon, the great American bird naturalist and bird illustrator, doesn’t know why he loves to draw birds. He just does. Did he develop his love for birds as a child in Haiti? During his youth in France, did his father’s knowledge of birds influence him? As an adult raising a family in the tumultuous early years of the United States, will he be able to provide for his family AND fulfill his dream to just draw birds?To understand Audubon’s life and development as an artist, 20 full-color Audubon prints are included as well as two art projects for the art student. An index, map and timeline of Audubon’s life are also included. About two hundred years ago, between the years 1827 and 1839, approximately two hundred and fifty copies of John James Audubon’s book, Birds of America, were printed. One hundred nineteen known copies exist today. Audubon wanted the birds in his illustrations to be life size, so his book measures more than three feet long by two feet wide. It contains four hundred and thirty-five hand-colored prints created from engravings of Audubon’s illustrations. These prints include four hundred and ninety-seven bird species, which is over half of the nine hundred bird species that live in North America. It was the most complete American bird book of its day. The last Birds of America to sell publicly brought over eleven million dollars at auction. In addition to drawing birds, Audubon kept long journals. From these we know much about his life. This narrative is written in first person with quotation marks around words that Audubon actually wrote or others recorded he said. Why was Audubon so passionate about illustrating birds? This seven chapter, 10,000 word book, intended for fourth grade reading level and up, introduces Audubon’s life to children and teens (and adults) and explores his struggle to illustrate birds. A life lived with such focused passion is a life to be admired. Read this book to understand Audubon’s life or as a gift to inspire young bird enthusiasts around the world.