Birdlore: The Iridescent Life of Florence Merriam Bailey

by Jess Keating, Devon Holzwarth (illustrator)

From the author of Shark Lady comes the true story of Florence Merriam Bailey, the groundbreaking scientist who inspired a nation to take up bird-watching and worked tirelessly to protect our feathered friends.

Before Florence, there was no such thing as "bird-watching". Bright plumes on lady's hats were all the rage, but no one was climbing trees or wading through marsh-grass to spot the birds they came from. Even scientists studied birds in labs instead of outside in their natural habitat.

But Florence changed all that. A bird-lover since childhood, she wanted to show the world what made these creatures special. She wanted everyone to care as much as she did, and so she taught classes, printed pamphlets, and eventually began leading bird walks so people could see it with their own eyes. Over time, they did see! With hard work and perseverence, Florence changed the way we look at birds, inspiring millions to follow in her footsteps on bird walks of their own.

With gorgeous illustrations by award-winning artist Devon Holzwarth (Listen), Florence's story takes flight in soaring spreads that capture her inquisitive spirit and passionate advocacy for our feathered friends, a legacy that lives on to this day.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, Birds, Nature, Animals, Science

40 pages, Hardcover

Published March 18, 2025

About the author

Jess Keating is an award-winning author, cartoonist, and zoologist, whose work has been featured in the New York Times, CBC, Buzzfeed, Parents Magazine, and more.

She is the creator of over a dozen fiction and nonfiction books, including Eat Your Rocks, Croc!, Shark Lady, Pink is for Blobfish, the Elements of Genius middle grade series, and the graphic novel series, Bunbun & Bonbon.

Get printables, videos, and more fun stuff for kids at https://www.jesskeating.com/

Reviews

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful nonfiction picture book about the woman who pioneered modern birdwatching. I had no idea who Florence Merriam Bailey was before reading this book, and I enjoyed learning about her life and work! Keating includes an insightful note about how Florence loved nature: not just enjoying it, but also standing up, spreading knowledge, and taking action to protect nature and the creatures who live in it. Holzwarth's artwork is stunning and vibrant, giving readers a sense of how Florence saw the world and how they can see it, too, if they give birdwatching a try.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moaning aloud in the children's library is weird. But ohhhhh waa audible

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations combined with an engaging story presents readers with a great introduction to the life of a lesser-known woman who helped changed the world. Florence Merriam Bailey loved birds. As a child she'd spend hours outside in the forest watching the birds. Inspired by her brother she set out to learn as much as she could about birds. But she didn't like the idea of studying dead birds in a lab or office. She went outside and studied birds in all their glory and individual personalities. After leaving to attend college, Florence discovered birds and their feathers being used as decorations on women's hats. Florence decided to put a stop to this practice and set out to accomplish that task. Most significantly, Florence invited people out into the wild itself to observe birds in their natural habitat. Eventually she used all the notes she'd taken over the years to write a field guide. Not only is this a fascinating account of a woman following her dreams, but a tale of a woman changing the world through her passion and knowledge. The book has all that makes a picture book biography shine: gorgeous, eye-catching illustrations with a bird identification guide in the back matter, a very readable, engaging text, an author's note with more information about Florence and her work, and tips on becoming a birdwatcher. A great book for teaching about science, following dreams, and fighting for what one believes in. Highly recommended.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Students of history or the fashion industry may be surprised to learn about the woman who changed the way scientists studied birds and insured that birds would no longer be a part of a woman's wardrove. This lively, imaginative biography of Florence Merriam Bailey explains how she grew up loving birds, studying them alongside her older brother, but becoming increasingly troubled by how scientists went about their work since they collected specimens and brought them back to their labs. Florence thought that this was cruel and unnecessary, instead preferring to observe them in the wild. While attending college, she became angered when a friend related seeing a woman with a hat bedecked with 13 birds, kingfishers Florence knew from the description. She became a one-woman activist, spreading the word about the beauty of birds, riling up the campus community so that many women gave up any hats they owned that contained birds--a common practice at that time--and then arranged outings into the woods so others could use opera glasses to see the beautiful creatures she loved so much. and eventually writing the first field guide to American birds, based on her notes, sketches and observations over the years. Not only is Florence's story inspiring and revelatory, but Keating's predilection for specificity, naming the different bird species and describing their movements and personalities, some playful, some retiring, enables readers to appreciate birds more and understand Florence's passion for birdwatching and her determination to protect birds. So saturated with rich, layered colors are the illustrations, created with gouache, watercolor, colored pencil, and Procreate, that the birds come alive, almost seeming to pose, preen, flit and gather food, right before readers' eyes. The look of wonder in Florence's eyes at various points is simply everything. This is a must-have for any science classroom library.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you enjoy watching birds? I do! But I had never heard of Florence Merriam Bailey! She was one of the most influential ornithologists of all time and helped encourage bird watching but, like me, most people have never heard of her.

Born in New York State in 1863, Florence loved nature. It wasn't something that simply existed around her - it was home. Most of all, she loved birds and wanted to spend her life studying them.
In Florence's day, girls were not encouraged to be scientists. But she didn't care. She studied birds with her brother. What she did care about was how most scientists thought it was okay to kill animals in order to study them. So she decided to study them in the field. She learned a lot about birds and taught others. And then it was time to go to college.

I was very happy to learn about the life of this bird lover! And I'm thankful for her passion to protect the birds and encourage bird-watching.

Around this same time, hats adorned with feathers and even entire birds were all the rage. Five million birds a year were being killed just to make hats. Florence was aghast at this destruction and set out to advocate for the birds. Florence led bird walks to raise awareness. Wanting to reach even more people, Florence wrote Birds Through an Opera Glass - the first field guide for American birds.

There is an author's note at the end and also information on bird-watching. And at the very end is a large tree filled with different birds. All of those birds can be found in the book - the author encourages you to find them all. I also enjoyed that the author sprinkled bird related phrases throughout the book like "Word migrated quickly" and "Seeds of wisdom". There are others - see what you can find!

[Robin Berman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Florence is my kindred spirit. She loved nature and especially birds.

When she found out that birds were being killed to make the fashion hats with bird feathers, she was understandably upset. Millions of birds were killed to make the hats.

While in college she started taking people out bird watching. She wanted people to see birds for themselves and it worked- people wanted to protect the birds.

She wrote the 1st bird guide book. Her work led to the passing of the Lacey Act in 1900 , which helped protect animals from illegal trade.

I had never heard of her before reading this book.

There's an Author's Note with more details about Florence, and a page with bird watching tips at the end of the book.
Followed by a 2 page gorgeous illustrated guide to some of her favorite bird species which are featured throughout the book. It then asks if you can go back and identify the various species in the book using this guide. So it becomes interactive. Don't attempt this task with a headache lol.

Beautiful colorful illustrations on luxurious glossy pages that felt wonderful to touch.

I especially loved this books topic because I am an avid bird watcher and I love nature and wildlife. I have a life list of birds. Like Florence, I believe in protecting all wildlife, and my other personal passion is saving endangered species and following the science behind saving them, for example using ART and IVF to save critically endangered species like the Northern White Rhino.

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeously illustrated picture book biography tells the inspiring story of Florence Merriam Bailey, the author of the first field guide to American birds, published in 1889. Born with birds in her soul, she pioneered modern bird watching, first tagging along with her older brother in his natural studies, then setting off on her own, opera glasses in hand, to observe her beloved birds in their natural habitat and share them with the world. This book conveys that energy and passion in both its text and its gorgeous, colorful, energetic illustrations, which capture the motion and beauty of birds in incredible detail. Florence’s story is inspiring and brave, and up for both birds and women - publishing her work under her own name at a time when that was unusual. Birdlore is a beautiful tribute to that work, and a wonderful way to share it with a new generation. 

I loved this book. It is really the best of what picture book biographies can be. It shares the story of a less well-known person who made a big difference in a way that is both inspirational to young people and a beautiful tribute to the subject’s own work. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Florence Merriam Bailey not only loved birds, she wanted to share that love and she felt that way from childhood. Even though she was not allowed to study science and birds as her older brother did, Florence was determined to continue her careful observations and her connections with birds.

When Florence learned of the latest fashion trend - dead birds and their feathers decorating ladies hats, she set out to stop that practice. Florence went on to be the first to introduce the love of birding to women by guiding trips, to write the first first field guide for birds and to continue to share her love of birds throughout her life.

Keating's text is informative and lively, truly bringing to life this extraordinary unknown woman. An outstanding match are the gorgeous gouache, watercolor and colored pencil illustrations practically steals the show. This is a visually treat. The book includes a seek and find game of the birds included, an Author's Note with more background and information to become a birder.

[Mrs.MakesReadingFun · Rating 5 out of 5]

We absolutely loved Birdlore. This beautifully illustrated picture book biography tells the true story of Florence Merriam Bailey, the woman who helped change the way the world studies and protects birds.

Before Florence, birds were mostly studied indoors and their feathers were treated like fashion accessories. Florence believed birds should be observed in their natural habitats, so she taught classes, wrote pamphlets, and led some of the very first bird walks. Her passion helped inspire an entire nation of bird-watchers and conservationists.

As a teacher librarian, I am always on the lookout for strong picture book biographies, especially stories about women in STEM. This is such an inspiring and often overlooked story, and one I know our students will remember. The illustrations are stunning and really bring Florence’s curiosity and determination to life.

This is a must-have for school libraries, science units, and any classroom that wants to celebrate real people who changed the world.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous picture book biography about the ornithologist Florence Merriam Bailey. Florence was always fascinated by birds. As a child, she joined her older brother in examining bird bodies, but even then Florence felt "something wasn't right" in studying dead birds. When she was at the university, Florence was opposed to the current fashion of using bird feathers in hats and worked actively and successfully to make her campus aware of the problem. Florence worked throughout her life learning more about birds and sharing her knowledge with others. This is a lovely book that focuses on Florence's early work. However, readers need to read the author's note to get a bigger picture of Florence's contributions in writing about birds and working to save them. There is also an illustration at the back that labels all the birds shown in previous illustrations. An inspiring picture book that will also be useful to include in units about birds and conservation or before taking a nature walk.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated picture book biography of Florence Merriam Bailey, a pioneering women in the field of ornithology who played a role in helping to eliminate the use of real bird feathers on women’s hat. Loved the swirling almost like flying aspect seen in the illustrations. Was less fond of the text as it didn’t give enough specific about Bailey and the author’s note did not add much more detail. The author certainly has ability as I was impressed to find the terms, copse, mottled, and renovated within the text which made me expect more from the text.

Think I need to hear a discussion or attend a children’s literature seminar on the audience, use, scope and purpose of picture book biographies.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful picture book biography celebrates the little-known life of ornithologist Florence Merriam Bailey. Jess Keating tells her story from a young girl to a respected expert. It The reader leans how she actually changed the study of birds and how she popularized birding among others. The book is beautifully illustrated by Devon Holzwarth who captures a number of species in an authentic style. The end notes contain more information about Bailey and tips on how to get involved with birding. It is a great book to put in the hands of any reader interested in birds or to perhaps create an interest in birds.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by Jess Keating and Devon Holzwarth is a great example of how reading is learning. I'm a 25+ year educator, and I know young people love learning about the not-so-famous people who make the world a better place.

Florence Merriam Bailey was a young, curious, nature-loving girl who turned her love of birds into a successful career. Readers learn about the time in which she grew up and how difficult it was for a young woman to make it in the sciences at that time all in 40 pages!

History! Science! A determined and curious woman! Win, win, win!

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations here are really fittingly bright and luscious. Love the full illustration with labels for the birds at the end with the invitation to find all of them throughout the book.

I appreciated the contrast of studying the physical aspects of birds by looking at specimens/artifacts vs studying bird behavior in their natural habitat.

About Florence Bailey from childhood interest in birds through writing the guide. We don't really seeing the publishing/reception of the guide, though there's more information about that in the endnotes.

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devon Holzworth has illustrated a delightfully appealing biography picture book of Florence Merriam Bailey, a little known aviary enthusiast who began the "bird watching" movement. From early life, Florence loved birds. She studied them, painted them, and researched them. When she found fancy women wanting the colorful flumes of birds for their hats, she educated them as to the LIFE behind the feather and started a movement.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a fascinating journey into the life of Florence Merriam Bailey, a pioneering ornithologist who not only studied the remarkable world of birds but also dedicated her life to their protection. A true trailblazer, Bailey helped shape modern birdwatching and inspired others to appreciate birds through careful observation and study. I was deeply moved by her passion, perseverance, and the many barriers she overcame throughout her life.

[Ellon · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars (I loved it)

This was a fantastic picture book biography. The illustrations are memorizing and the backmatter shows some of Florence's favorite bird species with a plea for the reader to go back and find them in the text. How interactive! Keating does a great job bringing Florence to life. I even noticed some of the language used related to birds (like how the ideas migrated . So great!

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

A biography of one of the most influential ornithologists of all time, though of course almost unknown. The woman who pioneered bird-watching and the author of the first field guide to American birds. Author's Note states her work lead to the Lacey Act of 1900 which helped protect animals from illegal trade. Backmatter also encourages readers to become birdwatchers. Readers are also challenged to find various birds pictured throughout the book.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated book about Florence Bailey, who loved birds and wanted to study them - but in real life, not in a classroom or lab - and taught others the joy of watching birds in the wild. Excellent option for budding nature lovers.

Thanks to Knopf and Edelweiss for the egalley.

[Dylan Teut · Rating 5 out of 5]

An avid birder, I loved learning more about Florence Merriam Bailey- I had recently learned about her and this was a timely read. Whether you're a birder or not doesn't matter- it's a great biography and sure to spark some inquiry about nature of all kinds.

[Brandi Rae Fong]

I'd never heard of Florence Merriam Bailey, but apparently, she wrote the first field guide to American birds. Really liked the inclusion at the end of labeled illustrations of each bird mentioned or shown in the book.

[Meghan Bohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the gorgeous accurate artwork, but was disappointed by the complete lack of backmatter, as well as the abrupt ending. We definitely need biographies of Florence for young readers.
Up from 2.5 stars

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring story, important female and birding history, beautiful arts with mesmerizing colors.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very lovely and will go well with Shark Lady and Dinosaur Lady. Recommended.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another outstanding picture book biography from Jess Keating.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything I want in a picture book. Bravo, Jess Keating and Devon Holzwarth! I loved this!

[Mira Finch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved learning about Florence and how she saved so many birds.