Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
Kindle Price: $3.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs

Follow the author

Margarita Engle
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Sky Painter: Louis Fuertes, Bird Artist Kindle Edition

by Margarita Engle (Author), Aliona Bereghici (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 257 ratings
See all formats and editions

Louis loves to watch birds. He takes care of injured birds and studies how they look and how they move. His father wants him to become an engineer, but Louis dreams of being a bird artist. To achieve this dream, he must practice, practice, practice. He learns from the art of John James Audubon. But as Louis grows up, he begins to draw and paint living, flying birds in their natural habitats.

Louis Agassiz Fuertes (1874–1927) is now known as the father of modern bird art. He traveled with many scientific expeditions all over the world. His best-known works—paintings for habitat exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History in New York—are still beloved by visitors today. His art helped to encourage wildlife conservation, inspiring people to celebrate and protect the world of wings.

Poems by Newbery Honor–winning author Margarita Engle and illustrations by Aliona Bereghici capture the life of Louis Fuertes and the deep sense of wonder that he felt when he painted the sky.

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    6 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    23 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    1 - 3
  5. Publisher
    Two Lions
  6. Publication date
    April 28, 2015
  7. Page Flip
    Not Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Not Enabled
  10. Sticky notes
    Not Enabled
  11. See all details
Next page
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 3—This stellar picture book biography examines the life of Louis Agassiz Fuertes. Inspired by John James Audubon's work but disgusted by the practice of killing and mounting birds in order to draw them, Fuertes was one of the first to paint birds while observing them in their natural habitat. Bereghici's stunning watercolor and ink spreads practically fly off the page with their richly colored, realistic depictions of Fuertes's environment and experiences. All but a few birds represented in the illustrations are artfully labeled. The narrative is told in the first person from Fuertes's perspective, with helpful chapterlike headings appearing every few pages. The text is minimal, but Engle has selected strong, descriptive words to tell this story. This title would work well as a mentor text for demonstrating how to write a biography from the subject's point of view. Readers will enjoy learning about how Fuertes's passion for birds, which began from a very young age, led to a fulfilling career. VERDICT An excellent addition to science and biography collections.—Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00NY7FBF0
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Two Lions (April 28, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 28, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 12283 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 23 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 257 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Margarita Engle

Margarita Engle

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Margarita Engle is the Cuban-American winner of the first Newbery Honor ever awarded to a Latino. Her award winning young adult novels in verse include The Surrender Tree, The Poet Slave of Cuba, and The Lightning Dreamer, winner of the PEN USA Award.

Engle's most recent books are Orangutanka, Drum Dream Girl, The Sky Painter, and Enchanted Air. All of these books are to be released in 2015. For news and updates, visit http://margaritaengle.com/

She lives in central California, where she enjoys helping her husband with his volunteer work for wilderness search and rescue dog training programs.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
257 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Debbie Herman
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book with Beautiful Pictures
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2021
Verified Purchase
One of my students checked out this book from the school library and asked me to read it to the class. The story and illustrations are both beautiful. I decided to purchase my own copy and then got one
for each of the teachers in my grade level as well. It’s the perfect addition to a unit on observing nature that we study.
Helpful
 Report
john marsh
5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic book!
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2020
Verified Purchase
got this for a 30 year old stuck inside that has taken up painting birds , making paintings of birds, i loved it when it first came out, i'm sure she will too. Everything Margarita Engle writes is worth reading.
Helpful
 Report
kc
4.0 out of 5 stars Kindle version - difficult to read
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2020
Verified Purchase
Loved the story !
I have the 2nd kindle version (yes, it still works GREAT!) and was unable to view most of the illustrations or read some of the words due to the light color type print. I tried all I could to adjust it, but it is what it is!
That being said, this is a great story.
I just cannot recommend the Kindle version for any of you that may have the "old school " kindles !
Helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Mini Biography
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2020
Verified Purchase
I was first drawn into this story by its cover artwork and after reading it I continue to be moved by the lovely illustrations and biography. After reading The Sky Painter, I genuinely want to learn more about Louis Fuertes and maybe even draw, draw, draw my own bird artwork more.
Helpful
 Report
Eliza120
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful illustrations
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2020
Verified Purchase
Beautiful, colorful illustrations on every page.
It will captivate kids and adults alike.
Love the historical note in the back of the book.
Helpful
 Report
Adelaide
5.0 out of 5 stars Encourage your child’s imagination.
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2020
Verified Purchase
Beautifully written and illustrated book about a true story. Appropriate for ages 4-8. Younger children will enjoy the illustrations; older children will understand the significance of the store.
Helpful
 Report
Lola Pittenger
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read for nature lovers!
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2020
Verified Purchase
My family and I enjoyed reading this book together because we love nature. We especially loved that this was a true story and that we can find inspiration from this reading.
Helpful
 Report
Kendi P.
4.0 out of 5 stars Great
Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2021
Verified Purchase
I really loved the illustrations of this book. I also liked exploring different birds and seeing how much Louis Fuertes admired birds.
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Such a beautiful book!
Reviewed in Canada on August 10, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is such a beautiful book! I bought it for my personal library and also as a gift for a little girl that is obsessed with birds. The poems and illustrations are beautifully done! I was also impressed with the print quality.
Report
Chloe
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful introduction to a lovely artist!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book is very simplistic, but lovely. It is perfect to use in both KS1 and KS2. It would be great for history, geography and art lessons, but links can also be made for science and English too. The illustrations are gorgeous! This book would open up wonderful opportunities for art displays containing birds. I also like the little fact file at the back.
Report
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book
Reviewed in Australia on May 23, 2020
Verified Purchase
Lovely relaxing read about a fascinating artist and person.
Really happy we read this today and learned something new. Thankyou
One person found this helpful
 Report
Ash
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring creativity in children of all ages
Reviewed in Canada on April 16, 2020
Verified Purchase
An insightful little book with a child’s eye - and makes you go on a journey that is both unforgettable and inspiring creativity. Very happy to have read it as a parent.
Report
Meera
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 6, 2020
Verified Purchase
An amazingly short but beautifully illustrated book about the man who pioneered bird watching and the new form of painting our winged friends. It was easy to read with some very informative pictures that labelled birds to make them easily identifiable. Great for children or bird enthusiasts.
Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report