Julie Zickefoose

I find the most enjoyable natural history books are those that contain, in whole or part, stories that illuminate or enliven the natural science content. Saving Jemima is just such a book. Zickefoose's telling of her fostering the young blue jay is both narrative and avian zoology, memoir and field guide.
[Audiobook note: Perhaps only Zickefoose herself could have done justice to reading the text. When she recreates the jay's various calls, you know you are hearing the closest human approximation of the sound the text attempts to convey. Good thing she also does justice to the rest of text. Delightful.]… (mer)

The author grew up with parents who enjoyed watching birds and helping them. As an adult she has regularly helped rehabilitate injured and raise orphaned wild birds, and this book contains stories of all the different types of birds she has helped. She is also an artist, so while helping them, she has drawn them at different stages (often as they grow), so many of her illustrations and paintings, with notes alongside, are included.

I really liked this. I do enjoy watching birds myself, but what a lot of work and effort it takes to raise the babies! The author also touches on habitat destruction, hunting, outdoor cats and other threats to wild birds, as well. The illustrations were beautiful, and I have to admit, although I prefer reading on my old Kobo Touch (black & white), the Kobo doesn’t always recognize DRM-free for library books, anymore, so I often end up reading on my tablet via Libby. The colour was really nice for the beautiful illustrations and paintings in this book.… (mer)