Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers: How a First Lady Changed America

I just love Lady Bird.Her name was Claudia Alta Taylor but her nanny as a baby called her Lady Bird. Lady Bird's parents lived in a big house in the country with a boat, bayous and flowers in Texas. They were rich. Lady Bird's mom died when she was about six, so her dad took her to his big store and when she got sleepy took her upstairs next to the coffins, she did not know what they were, and put her to sleep. She loved the wildflowers they were like friends who cheered her. Lady Bird's dad bought her a car to drive to high school and she graduated college and with her car at the University Of Texas in Austin. She married Lyndon Johnson whom became president.They had two daughters Lynda Bird and Luci Baines. In their yard Lady Bird planted flowers but she wanted all children to have flowers so she encouraged Americans to clean up the parks and beside the roadways and plant wildflowers.She and Lyndon retired to their ranch in Texas covered with wild flowers .All Americans may go there for free.Lyndon and Lady Bird left a lot of money so the Johnson Ranch now a national park is free for all Americans.I would love to go there would not you?

Kathi Appelt honors the first lady and reminds us that Lady Bird Johnson changed the way we look at the landscape. Joy Fisher Hein's joyful illustrations capture the beauty of the flowers and Lady Bird's gracious and loving spirit. Check out Hein's website to see the thank you letter she had from Mrs. Johnson about the book. Based on the number of copies I have cataloged at various libraries I know that this book has joined dePaola's The Legend of the Bluebonnet and The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush as a must-have in every school library in Texas. As I reflected on Mrs. Johnson's passing this week I recalled that this past spring was one of the longest seasons for flowers that I could ever remember, and I've lived here a long time. Maybe it was the rainy spring weather or maybe it was just a last glorious burst of color to honor her. I do know that she left us a precious gift.

Another excellent best of '06 selection from American Horticulture Society. Our garden club gave this book to a 3rd grade classroom in an effort to encourage our youth to take care of the earth. The illustrations are a joy and the message is what we need to be spreading.

When the Bluebonnets bloom in the spring, is a wonderful time to read Miss Ladybird's Wildflowers. Almost forgotten, Lady Bird Johnson had a huge impact on our environment. This would be great for EARTH DAY. Kathi's writing reads beautifully, and I have used this book in my library for a read aloud. I was surprised how many of our young teachers didn't know who Lady Bird was. Lady Bird helped to beautify our highways by eliminating billboards and seeding wildflowers. The real bonus in the book is the chart of wildflowers on the last page, and then to have students find them on the pages, as they are woven thoughout the splendid illustrations. You will not be disappointed and I hope it will be a must for all libraries.

This is a picture book type biography of First Lady Bird Johnson. First we learn of her childhood. We learn that her nanny gave her the nickname ladybird. She was playing with her one day and said she was as pretty as a Lady Bird and the name stuck. We then learn that her mother died after a tragic accident. She fell down the stairs and never recovered from her injuries. Her father then tried to raise Lady Bird on his own but he wanted a better life for his daughter. He asked one of her aunts to come and help take care of her. Aunt Effie came and shared her love of flowers with Lady Bird. As Lady Bird grew up she meet and married Lyndon Johnson who later became the president of the United States after Kennedy was shot. As First Lady she worked hard to help the nation heal from the shock of losing Kennedy. She knew how much flowers meant to her and how much join they brought to her life so she decided to share them with the world. She set our on a campaign of her own to plant wild flowers along the interstates. What did you like or not like about the book? At the end of the book were pictures and titles of various wild flowers. Some of them I had never heard of before. I learned a lot about wildflowers through this book.