Born in 1914, Joe Purdon was one of North America's early conservationists. After stumbling as a child upon a cluster of Showy Lady's Slippers in bloom, Joe dedicated his life to protecting these rare orchids. In this picture book, award-winning author and illustrator Ian Wallace depicts how Joe Purdon became a steward of a fragile piece of land in Eastern Ontario. Thanks to his passion, diligence and generosity, the Purdon Conservation Area (now part of the Mississippi Valley Conservation Area) was established in 1982. It is home to one of the largest colonies of Showy Lady's Slippers in North America.

About the Author
IAN WALLACE is one of Canada's best-known children's book creators. He has published many classics, including Boy of the Deeps and Chin Chiang and the Dragon's Dance. His illustrations for Canadian Railroad Trilogy and Just So Stories each received three starred reviews. Ian has won the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Award, the Mr. Christie's Book Award and the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Award, among others. Ian lives in Brookline, Massachusetts, with his wife, Deb.

Reviews
While kids today are sometimes exhorted to 'act locally' to help the environment, here's an example of a boy who made his mark as naturalist by doing just that. * Booklist *
This exquisitely illustrated picture book . . . introduces young readers to the concept of conservation and emphasizes that one person can make a difference. * School Library Journal *
An exquisitely illustrated true story . . . The Slippers' Keeper honors this amazing legacy. * Children's Bookwatch *
Ian Wallace is one of the grand masters on the Canadian picture book scene. . . . The text includes much detail about the Lady's Slipper, itself, and about Purdon's efforts to nurture its survival. * CM Magazine *



Book Information
ISBN 9781554984145
Author Ian Wallace
Format Hardback
Page Count 36
Imprint Groundwood Books Ltd ,Canada
Publisher Groundwood Books Ltd ,Canada
Weight(grams) 425g
Dimensions(mm) 200mm * 250mm * 10mm