The Boy Who Drew Birds

by Maya Sterling

A young boy found his own special path.

Grade 1 (Level I): Early readers10 pages

The story of young John James Audubon, who loved watching and drawing birds before becoming a famous naturalist

Characters

Young John

Father

Style

Sketchy Pen & Ink

Story

Story Arc

Young John loved to watch birds in France. He would sit very still in the garden. Small birds hopped on the green grass. Young John drew them in his little brown book.

Father worked hard in his shop. He wanted Young John to learn the business. Father believed numbers were very important. He watched Young John from the window, his lips thin.

Young John held his pencil carefully. He loved how the birds moved. Each feather was a tiny wonder. He drew with great care and a gentle smile.

One day, Father shared big news. “We will move to America!” he said. Young John looked at his father. He wondered about the birds he would leave behind.

A big ship carried them across the ocean. The waves were huge and blue. Young John stood on the deck. He looked for new birds flying above the water.

America was very different. Tall trees reached the sky. Father set up his new business. He asked Young John to help in the shop.

Young John loved the new sounds. Strange birds sang in the woods. He saw birds with bright red wings! Young John wanted to draw them all.

Young John stayed in the woods one sunny morning. He drew a beautiful blue bird. Father walked by. He saw Young John, not in the shop, but drawing.

Father looked at Young John’s drawings. The birds looked real. Father saw the passion in Young John’s eyes. He stood still for a moment.

Young John kept drawing birds. He watched them fly and sing. He filled many books with his art. Young John found his own special way.

The end

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Words to know

garden: A place where flowers and plants grow, often with pretty paths.; He would sit very still in the garden.
hopped: To jump on one foot or on both feet at the same time.; Small birds hopped on the green grass.
believed: To think something is true or real.; Father believed numbers were very important.
carefully: Doing something with attention so you don't make a mistake.; He held his pencil carefully.
feather: A soft, light part that covers a bird's body.; Each feather was a tiny wonder.
wonder: Something that makes you feel surprised and amazed.; Each feather was a tiny wonder.
gentle: Kind and soft.; He drew with great care and a gentle smile.
news: New information about something that has happened.; One day, Father shared big news.
ocean: A very, very big body of salt water.; A big ship carried them across the ocean.
waves: The moving lines of water on the top of the sea.; The waves were huge and blue.
deck: The flat floor of a ship.; Young John stood on the deck.
different: Not the same as something else.; America was very different.
reached: To stretch out to touch or get something.; Tall trees reached the sky.
strange: Unusual or not familiar.; Strange birds sang in the woods.
wings: The parts of a bird that it uses to fly.; He saw birds with bright red wings!
passion: A very strong feeling of love or liking for something.; Father saw the passion in Young John’s eyes.
art: Things like drawings, paintings, or music that show skill and imagination.; He filled many books with his art.
special: Better or more important than others.; Young John found his own special way.