Lady Bird Johnson, That's Who!

The Story of a Cleaner and Greener America

Henry Holt and Company

(pub. 2.23.2021) 

40 pages

A True Tale with

A Cherry On Top   

A uthor: Tracy Nelson Maurer
       and illustrator: Ginnie Hsu

C haracter: Lady Bird Johnson

O verview:

       

"Claudia Alta Taylor was a lonely girl, shy as a butterfly growing up in Texas. She never dreamed she'd blossom into a visionary leader whose love for wildflowers, beautiful landscapes, and building community compelled her to lead the effort to combat pollution in the United States. A lifelong environmentalist, Lady Bird Johnson embraced her platform as First Lady to promote policy that beautified America’s roadways, waterways and parks, inspiring people to take pride in the places they live."

T antalizing taste: 

     "Her father, whose work often kept him away from their country house, trusted Lady Bird to roam as she pleased. Alone, Lady Bird explored the blooming meadows, pine forest, and mysterious bayous of nearby Caddo Lake, where garlands of Spanish moss draped the old cypress trees. Her love for the wilderness grew and grew."

 And something more:  In the Author's Note, Tracy Nelson Maurer writes "I hope Lady Bird Johnson's story and her bold commitment to conserving America's natural resources help inspire you to join the effort to keep America beautiful. Together we can make our country a better place for everyone." 

A fitting wish for upcoming Earth Day: "Earth Day's mission is to  diversity, educate and activate the  environmental movement worldwide. In 1970, 20 million Americans mobilized to call for greater protections for our planet. Growing out of this first Earth Day in 1970, Earthday.org is the world's largest recruiter to the environmental movement,  working with more than 750,000 partners in over 190 countries to drive positive action for our plant."