A Voice for the Everglades: Marjory Stoneman Douglas

by Vicki Conrad, Ibon Adarne (Illustrator), Rachel Yew (Illustrator)

Overview

Marjory spoke up for the Everglades—and saved an entire ecosystem.

The Florida Everglades are made up of nine different ecosystems supporting an astonishing variety of wildlife—panthers, manatees, snails, frogs, and a rainbow of bird species. But for years, the Everglades were threatened. They needed a voice to speak up for them. Marjory Stoneman Douglas became that voice. Her book "A River of Grass" helped the world see the irreplaceable beauty and value of the Everglades. Marjory's activism led to the creation of a national park and dedicated conservation efforts, and throughout her long life she inspired countless people to use their voices to make a difference.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807584965
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	10/01/2021
Series:	She Made History
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	362,123
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD800L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Vicki Conrad is a teacher as well as a writer. Her first book, Just Like Beverly, was a Junior Library Guild Selection. Growing up, she was always found with a book in her hand, and she has stayed that way ever since.

Ibon Adarne is an illustrator who is also studying animation. They live in the Philippines with their family and friendly cat visitors.

Rachel Yew is a freelance illustrator from Honolulu, Hawaii. She graduated from the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Arts in New Jersey and now lives in the Seattle, Washington, area. Her work includes illustration, vector art creation, and game animation.

Editorial Reviews

"This attractive series shines spotlights on inspiring, deserving role models."—Booklist

"This is an ­enjoyable biography and offers a picture of what persistence and tenacity to a cause can bring."—School Library Journal

"The frank presentation of the lengthy struggle to protect the ecosystems in the Everglades shares meaningful ideas about persistence and potential payoff for pursuing passions."—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

08/01/2021

Gr 1–4—Readers of this book will find out how the Everglades became a National Park and learn about Marjory Stoneman Douglas, a woman who worked hard to help people understand what a special place the Everglades really is. This striking picture book tells about her life and how she first came to the Everglades and gives detailed information about the plants and animals that are native to the area. The author explains how some people recognized the Everglades as a potential source of money and nearly destroyed some of the species within, as well as how hard Douglas had to work to get people to recognize its beauty, fragility, and uniqueness. The artwork is vividly colored and helps readers to better visualize some of the species that are found only in the Everglades. Author's notes give more information about the plants and animals of this special place. This is an enjoyable biography and offers a picture of what persistence and tenacity to a cause can bring. Students will enjoy the illustrations of all the animals in addition to the facts about Douglas. VERDICT A solid choice for elementary libraries looking for interesting environmental biographies.—Debbie Tanner, S.D. Spady Montessori Elem., FL

School Library Journal

2021-08-31
Learn about the Everglades and a passionate life.

A vivid double-page panorama rooted in friendly greens and blues introduces the birth of the Everglades from a stream in Florida. This saw grass–filled place is presented as one of the most biodiverse places in the world, with nine active ecosystems. Some text loosely follows a “House That Jack Built” structure to show relationships among ecosystem elements. Animal inhabitants fly and swim gently across the pages in bright colors and animation-level detail that catches the eye, with minimal shadow or textures. As the human threat to the area is swiftly introduced, so are Marjory and Ernest, two White friends who share an awe for the cypress, birds, panthers, and other dynamic flora and fauna. Together, they lobby for a bill to create Everglades National Park. As they show lawmakers the area from an airship, hope rises but is quickly crushed. In the end, establishing the park is made possible only by heightened public awareness via Marjory’s 1947 book. The frank presentation of the lengthy struggle to protect the ecosystems in the Everglades shares meaningful ideas about persistence and potential payoff for pursuing passions. Little is shared about Douglas in the main text aside from her tireless efforts on behalf of the Everglades and her mission-driven friendship with Ernest. A biographical note helps to flesh her life out a bit more.

A book for the Everglades and its human allies. (further information, advocacy suggestions, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 4-9)

Kirkus Reviews