I knew very little about John Muir before reading this book; in this beautifully illustrated picture book, Thomas Locker tells John Muir's life story from the very beginning, though it is clearly simplified. The art is the best feature of this book; Locker's gorgeous landscapes help readers understand the beauty Muir saw in nature.

Another story that is obviously well crafted by Thomas Locker. As ever, his paintings are museum worthy. He kind of exists on his own level when it comes to children's book illustrations. Sure, there are the Bagram Ibatoullines and Wendall Minors out there as well, but Locker's work seems to be on par with that of Thomas Kincade as nature scenes go. You almost want to walk into the page and go for a leisurely stroll. He's really an incredible artist. The writing is always pretty good, but the artwork is just so beautiful it raises the level of the writing all around it. ( )

This book is a biography about a naturalist named John Muir. The book tells of his birth, childhood, his love of nature, and what led him to becoming a naturalist. The book is quite informative, but still easy to read. What I think is a good aspect of the book is that it includes quotes from John Muir within the reading. The pictures are absolutely beautiful and I could have just skipped reading just to look at them. That is why I give this book a 5 out of 5. ( )

John Muir is an important figure in our country's preservationist history, but perhaps especially in California. Author and illustrator Thomas Locker created a beautiful picture book biography which allows children to learn more about the famous environmentalist who helped start the Sierra Club and preserve Yosemite over 100 years ago. The left side of each double page tells the important milestones of Muir's life, including his realization (radical at the time) that nature was not a gift from God to man to use as a resource. Rather, Muir believed "everything from the smallest snowflake to the farthest star was part of nature, and man was not its master". Also on the left page are small boxed quotes from Muir's own writings. On the right side of each double page are Locker's magnificent illustrations-usually towering landscapes of Yosemite. Children will probably especially enjoy the picture of Muir riding out a windstorm in a bucking Douglas fir tree. The last page of the book consists of additional (unadorned) selections of Muir's writing. It is hard to imagine children will pay that much attention to this page, although some might. John Muir is pictured on California's state quarter, but for many children Muir remains an unknown individual. This book will help remedy that. ( )

This book gives an overview of the life of John Muir. It tells the story of how Muir discovered his love of nature by accident and later dedicated his life to its study. It goes on to tell about his travels all over the United States so he could learn new information about the wonders of nature. The book also tells how Muir crusaded to save the wilderness by creating the Sierra Club and fighting to get national parks.