The Sky Painter

By Margarita Engle, Aliona Bereghici (illustrator),

Book cover of The Sky Painter: Louis Fuertes, Bird Artist

Book description

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…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Sky Painter as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I was thrilled to find Sky Painter, because it’s about Louis Agassiz Fuertes, the famous painter mentioned in my book, who once gave Roger Tory Peterson a paintbrush. I’d always wanted to know more about the man who inspired Roger, and author Margarita Engle does a wonderful job capturing the painter’s curiosity, compassion, and dedication to birds.  

Like Roger, Louis was always bringing home wildlife. He kept baby birds on the porch, and sketched an owl in the kitchen. And like Roger, Louis painted in the bathroom. Roger did it because of the light. Louis did it because his…

From Peggy's list on for budding birders.

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