Do you know who Claudia Alta Taylor Johnson was? It was the real name of one of our beloved First Ladies, better known as Lady Bird Johnson. This month, and actually December 22, 2012 marked the 100 year anniversary of the birth of Lady Bird. This is a charming children’s book geared for ages 7-10. Published in 2005, Kathy Appelt is the author, and Joy Fisher Hein illustrates the book beautifully in vivid impressionistic colors.
Through this book, readers are reminded of this country’s very important chapter in our history. Readers also learn wildflower names guided by color illustrations mentioned in the book. It also leaves us with Miss Lady Bird’s Legacy, and what we can be grateful to her for creating generations later.
Miss Lady Bird’s Wildflowers: How a First Lady Changed America
beautifully illustrates the poignant life story of Lady Bird from her earliest Texas memories finding solace in Texas bluebonnet flowers, to her exciting life in the White House married to Lyndon B. Johnson, and back to her beloved Texas. Her love of flowers was a theme throughout her lifetime, and is a catalyst for her environmental vision of beautifying America’s highways with wildflowers.
Go to author Kathi Appelt’s website, for lots more for children to actively participate in celebrating Lady Bird’s centennial birth.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
This is such a lovely book, just like Lady Bird was. I grew up just up the road from her girl hood home loving wildflowers. As a grown up I still love wildflowers and native plants. They both reward you so much for so little effort. I have a copy of the book and put it on display each spring.
Delores, thanks for sharing…VintageGardenGal
What a beautiful name, but I also like her nickname. I love all the flowers along the interstate highways and byways, so thanks Ladybird for your precious gift.
I just bumped into this website and put it in My Favorites bar. I also commented in the Climbing America article. But I had to mention, that never seen this book, which sounds wonderful, I can tell you first hand that Ladybird Johnson was a beloved legend in Texas. I lived in Dallas for 5 years, and she left a lasting legend because of her love of the beautiful wildflowers of Texas. Seeing the bluebonnets in full bloom along stretches of the freeways in Texas is overwhelming, jaw dropping, and absolutely beautiful!
Mary V, thanks for sharing…VintageGardenGal