Summary: This book was about a painter named Tom Moran, who had a dream of going cross country to paint the America that people had never seen before. It talks of all the different stops and sights he saw.

Personal Reaction:
The illustrations were beautiful and to include all of the fascinating sights that there are in the world was a good thing to see.

Classroom Extension Ideas:
1) Pinpoint on a map each major part of e country they went to and where those National parks are today.
2) Paint a picture of Yellowstone, using only the context clues and words from the story. ( )

Summary:
This book is about Thomas "Tom" Moran. He was a painter would dreamed of painting Yellowstone. When he heard that Dr. Hayden and a group of scientists were going, he wanted to go. He met up with them and asked if he could join the journey. They agreed. Tom had never ridden a horse, shot a gun, or even slept under the stars, so the men made fun of him. He befriended their photographer. Together, the two of them took pictures and painted things that no one had ever seen before. Tom Moran is the reason that Yellowstone became America's first National Park.

Personal Reaction:
The illustrations really caught my eye. The story itself was really detailed and interesting.

Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. In my classroom, I could use this book to teach students about Yellowstone National Park.
2. In my classroom, I could use this book to teach my students about mountains, rivers, hot springs, and geysers.

Summary: This is a biography of a man named Tom Moran. He was a man who journeyed across the nation in order to find the Yellowstone River and capture the beauty of it. He was very talented in painting so he painted every scene he could. Once him and his team got back, the president saw the paintings and decided to establish Yellowstone to be America's first National Park.

Personal Reaction: I loved all the illustrations as well as the story line. The beauty of it was expressed through great detail.

Classroom Extensions: 1. The class will be informed on what exactly Yellowstone National Park is today.
2. I would allow the students to express what they think was the hardest part of the trip, like the hiking, cold, hotness, and danger of animals. They would see how worth the trip was to accomplish such an important place. ( )

Tom Moran wanted to visit the West. He was a painter who longed for adventure. Unfortunately, he had never ridden a horse nor camped out. So when he decided to travel with a group bound for Yellowstone, he experienced many trials. It was all worth it to him when he finally arrived and was able to paint the wonders of the West for those back East who would never get to visit Yellowstone themselves.The book is illustrated with pictures that imitate Moran’s style. The author includes both a bibliography and an author’s note that explain where she obtained her information.A little:“Tom Moran had dreams as big as the Montana sky.He stood in a camp in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, waiting nervously. Though Tom knew the men in the camp were scientists, they looked more like bandits. They eyed him suspiciously. He worried he must look like a greenhorn, but he wasn’t about to admit that he had never ridden a horse, never shot a gun, and never slept in the open air. Tom had just traveled two thousand miles to join this expedition into the land called the Yellowstone. He had to convince the team’s leader, Dr. Hayden, to let him join them.” ( )

I like how Tasha Saecker described this at Kids Lit: "A delightful mixture of adventure and art, this book will intrigue children interested in both subjects. Judge uses humor, drama and a great sense of pacing to tell a story that will keep young reader riveted ... The illustrations help create the sense of journey, danger and amazement." Read her full review here.