No Feathers in Your Hats!

Meet young ornithologist Florence Merriam Bailey, who wrote the first US birdwatching guide to introduce the public to the beauty of observing birds in nature—instead of on women’s hats!

In the late 1800s, the study of birds was not considered a subject for girls. But young Florence Merriam Bailey loved her feathered friends and thrived on watching their behavior in the woods and meadows around her family’s farm.

In 1882, as a student at Smith College, Florence encountered birds adorning ladies’ hats! Shockingly, she learned this fashion trend harmed up to five million birds a year. Florence urged her classmates to boycott feathered hats and found more lasting ways to change their behavior—introducing them to the beauty of living birds by leading nature walks.

But Florence’s passion propelled her to do more. After college, she decided to pen a guide to seventy common US birds. Her birdwatching guide began Florence’s lifelong effort to teach the wider public about birds. A remarkable achievement for a 26-year-old!

Through her advocacy, Florence brought the beauty and wonder of observing birds to everyone. Her efforts marked the beginnings of birdwatching, now enjoyed by 96 million people in the US.

And Florence’s revolutionary idea to observe birds in nature with opera or field glasses helped to advance a nationwide conservation movement to protect these winged wonders.

Author Lynn Street's previous nonfiction picture book, The Blue Jays That Grew a Forest, received strong recognition, honored as an ALA/ALSC Notable Book and as NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book.
The talented Anne Lambelet is the author-illustrator of Beatrix and Her Friends, a picture book biography about Beatrix Potter.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs