John Burroughs: The Sage of Slabsides

Mr. Kanze and I seem to agree on at least one thing, that Ms. Wadsworth's JOHN BURROUGHS: THE SAGE OF SLABSIDES is an excellent contribution. As for my own book, I've searched it for the word "kidnap" and can't seem to find that phrase anywhere. -- Edward J. Renehan, Jr., author of JOHN BURROUGHS: AN AMERICAN NATURALIST

Ginger Wadsworth, distinguished author of children's books on John Muir and Rachel Carson, brings the naturalist, literary critic, and philosopher John Burroughs to life in The Sage of Slabsides. As a Burroughs biographer myself (my THE WORLD OF JOHN BURROUGHS was published in 1993 by Harry Abrams, with a deal in the works to revive the book next year in paperback), I am in a position to judge the quality of Wadsworth's treatment. I think she does a brilliant job of telling the story of Burroughs's long and eventful life in a way that children will find captivating. There are quotes from Burroughs's published writings, journal entries, and an array of fine photographs, all well chosen to appeal to kids. The scholarship is first-rate, too. For example, Wadsworth notes the adoption of Burroughs's son, Julian, in July, 1878, as is documented in his journal, rather than repeating the false claim of Edward Renehan's JOHN BURROUGHS: AN AMERICAN NATURALIST that the boy was essentially kidnapped from its biological mother in April. The secret of Burroughs's success may be that, with his playful humor and passion for nature and the out-of-doors, he remained a kid at heart throughout his nearly 84 years. He had a genius for passing along his childlike enthusiasm to others, which explains why people could not get enough of his company. Wadsworth keeps up the tradition. Boys, girls, and adults reading this book will likely be inspired to walk a few of Burroughs's forest paths.