E. B. White on Birds
About this ebook
For bird and literature lovers alike, this collection of writings on birds by legendary author E. B. White is paired with joyous and bold art by distinguished illustrator Charley Harper.
More than fifty years of collected letters, essays, and poems from the matchless author E. B. White reveal a lifelong love for birds, and some wisdom for living well.
With endless wit and an eye for the smallest and most telling of details, E. B. White drew out pure wonder for the natural world from the lives of birds—from documenting the daily joys and tragedies of a chicken’s existence, to questioning the nesting decisions of pigeons, to pondering of the potential of a single egg.
Paired with brilliant, striking illustrations from the esteemed environmental conservationist and artist Charley Harper, the accounts of the feathered friends between these pages serve as a timeless reminder of the little moments and the wonders that make life rich.
A Book of Beauty and Wonder: A celebration of avian life and a reminder of the small, sustaining wonders that enhance daily life gathered from more than a half century of E. B. White’s writing
Gorgeous Drawings: Illustrated with vibrant full-color artwork by Charley Harper, an acclaimed wildlife illustrator and conservationist
For Literature and Nature Fans: Perfect for readers of nature writing, admirers of E. B. White, and fans of Charley Harper’s iconic art
Beautifully Curated and Designed: Ideal for gifting, collecting, and dreaming—an invitation to slow down, look closely, and rediscover the extraordinary within the everyday.
Discover more
About the author
E. B. White, the author of such beloved classics as Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, and The Trumpet of the Swan, was born in Mount Vernon, New York. He graduated from Cornell University in 1921 and, five or six years later, joined the staff of the New Yorker magazine, then in its infancy. He died on October 1, 1985, at his home in Maine.Mr. White's essays have appeared in Harper's magazine, and some of his other books are: One Man's Meat, The Second Tree from the Corner, Letters of E. B. White, Essays of E. B. White, and Poems and Sketches of E. B. White. He won countless awards, including the 1971 National Medal for Literature and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, which commended him for making a "substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children."During his lifetime, many young readers asked Mr. White if his stories were true. In a letter written to be sent to his fans, he answered, "No, they are imaginary tales... But real life is only one kind of life—there is also the life of the imagination."
Charley Harper (1922-2007) was an illustrator with an alternative way of looking at nature. A conservationist as well as an artist, Harper revealed the unique aspects of his wildlife subjects through highly stylized geometric reduction. “I like to work flat and funny.” Harper believed that humor made it easier to encourage changes in our attitudes and heighten awareness of environmental concerns. There was a rare and delightful playfulness in Harper’s artwork. There was also graphic genius. Harper said, “I learn as much as I can about the creatures that interest me, and they all do. I observe them and find out how they interact with each other. Sometimes I paint what MIGHT occur if two creatures happen to meet each other. These situations often suggest compositions that I hope make viewers smile.”
