Reviews

Harriet's Ruffled Feathers: The Woman Who Saved Millions of Birds by Joy McCullough

lattelibrarian's review

3.0

A cacophony of birds and feathers fly into the spotlight with McCullough and Galotta's beautiful book about the Mass Audubon Society's creation. In following its founder, Harriet Hemenway, we learn that her devotion to birds came after reading a Boston Globe article about how men were killing birds for the fashion industry. Despite her love of fanciful hats, Harriet knew she had to take action.

With her friend Minna Hall, they founded the Mass Audubon Society and hosted scientific talks about birds and their importance. Through their activism and word-of-mouth campaigning, they were able to save millions of birds from a cruel fate.

Told with a beautiful serif font and detailed watercolor illustrations, nature's beauty--and Hemenway's love of hats!--shines through to the forefront. Perfect for the young activist who wants to learn how to make a difference. After all, all it takes is a little gumption and chirping about!

litlover13's review

3.0

I love learning about strong female trailblazers in history just like Harriet. My one gripe with this book is that after Minna writes to Taft's wife, Nellie about her feather hat the laws get passed for protecting the birds. I felt there could have been more information on the passing of the law. Added info in the back did not have any more about this.

panda_incognito's review

3.0

This picture book biography has gorgeous, colorful illustrations, but the text is too chipper and too overwhelmed with bird puns to honor the subject's serious activism. The book's overly light tone makes it seem like this was just an upper-class woman who picked up a hobby, and the narrative doesn't convey the real-life conflict and adversity that she faced through her advocacy.

maidmarianlib's review

hopeful informative inspiring slow-paced

5.0

Love the use of bird language and metaphors, delightful with lovely illustrations