Texas 2026 Part 1 - Texas Library Association Conference

Ugh I typed this all out once and none of it saved for some reason. I'll do a shorter version here sorry.

I went to Texas last week. I spent the first part of the trip in Houston, promoting my new book World Without Birds at the Texas Library Association conference. 

Up here where I live, I can't think of a conversation about Texan librarians that isn't about how they're facing book bans and other harassment. I guess if you had asked me what I'd expect out of the Texas Library Association I'd say that it'd be a pretty demoralized group of folks. I'd have severely underestimated them. Looking out onto the massive conference floor, it was incredible to see thousands of brave folks defiantly but quietly doing what they'd always done and what they love to do: educating kids. It was emotional, if I'm being honest. I was proud to be a part of it.

I was on a panel about non-fiction books alongside a set of talented writers (Katie Kennedy [also repped by Kate McKean!]; Lesa Cline-Ransome; Sharon McMahon; and Tami Charles). It went OK, I think--I wish I had better answers to some of the questions--and the book signing afterwards was really lovely and humbling. I really appreciate my great editors and media folks at Hachette and Workman Kids, including Amanda, Laura, Karen, and many more. It's a genuine pleasure to work with these folks.

Plus, I have to say, I really love World Without Birds. Writing about extinction for a young audience is really hard, and I put a lot of thought and effort alongside my editors into how I could write something so heavy without it being too much. I'm proud of the result, and am glad that some reviewers recognize and agree with the approach I took. 

OK, so, a really nice couple of days in Houston, and then my friend Brendan flew down to meet me for some serious, serious, serious, serious birding. That'll be in Part 2. 

Part of the Hachette booth at the TLA Conference. World Without Birds is up there on the left, alongside a tons of other great books (including, just below mine, The Forest Revealed by Maine's own Jada Fitch)

World Without Birds out now!

Really proud to announce that my new book, WORLD WITHOUT BIRDS, is out today from Workman!

It's a rollicking and positive run through bird conservation topics around the world. A follow-up to writer Mark Kurlansky's 2012 book WORLD WITHOUT FISH, Birds is a great introduction for young folks (8-15) to learn about bird threats and conservation successes in habitats around the world.

It's a brisk read despite the serious subjects. I cover different ecosystems around the world -- deserts, temperate forests, tropical forests, islands, and more -- and talk about how humans have both caused a bird to go extinct in that habitat but are also saving species from extinction there. For example, I write about how the Dodo's evolution on the island of Mauritius left it vulnerable to extinction, but also how people are working successfully to save another unique island bird, the Kagu of New Caledonia. 

The book is filled with beautiful illustrations from Asia Orlando, one of the most talented wildlife illustrators on the planet. I'm proud of this book and I hope you like it! 

The Ultimate Biography of Earth and the ABA Field Guide to the Birds of Maine

I didn't learn how to bake sourdough during the pandemic, but I was still productive! I was honored to have been asked two write several books in the past few years, the first two of which are out now.

The amazing folks at Workman asked me to write a complete history of the Earth aimed at middle school kids, and the result is The Ultimate Biography of Earth. I'm so proud of it. It's fun and funny, but also serious and complete. It's chock-full of incredible illustrations from UK artist Jason Ford, who I think perfectly captured the tone and style I hoped. It's a delightful book, and is getting good reviews from folks who review books like this.  

The second book is the American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of Maine. An absolute honor to put this book together. To think that I've come from writing about the dumbest bird stuff imaginable to creating a field guide to the birds of my beloved home state is just a real dream come true. As with all the ABA guides, it's illustrated with incredible photographs from Brian Small. The book covers more than 260 species found in Maine, making it a great reference and a perfect gift.

I'm thrilled to have these two books finally coming out after working hard on them during 2020 and 2021, and am grateful to both my friends at Workman and at Scott & Nix for their trust in me. And stay tuned, I have two other books in various stages of done-ness, that will hopefully hit shelves in the next year or so. Excited to share them with you. Good birding!

Arizona Mexican Food and an Essay about Tacos

Hi friends.

I was honored to be asked to contribute an essay to Good Birders Still Don't Wear White, a sequel to the popular book by birders about birding. We were asked to write about something we love about birding, and so naturally I wrote about tacos.

The book is about to be released, and features a ton of probably-awesome essays from famous birders and also me. Go pre-order the book here!

In spirit of my epicurean topic, I wanted to update you, good reader, on the near-border delicacies I recently experienced on a birding trip to southeast Arizona. I'll tell you about the birds some other time (we ran the table on some great rarities) and instead focus on that even more elusive target for this Mainer: a good taco.  Here's what I had, with grades.

Mango Taco Truck in the Houston Airport

I had a super early morning flight from DC with a layover in Houston. I hadn't eaten anything all day and was rushing to my flight but stopped at this little stand for a chorizo-and-potato (I asked for it without egg) burrito, which was DELICIOUS. I know it's an airport and all, but this thing hit the spot. Chorizo done right is unbeatable. Grade: A.

Filiberto's in Arizona City, AZ

We were super hungry after dashing around Phoenix getting the rental car arranged and then picking up some Rosy-faced Lovebirds. We pulled into Arizona City on our way south to Tucson and snagged some burritos at Filiberto's, which is apparently a chain in the area. They were delicious. The biggest difference in good Mexican food that the crap I'm used to out East is fresh tortillas. Warm and floury and a little stretchy, fresh tortillas make all the difference, and these burritos were perfect. Grade: A

Taqueria Juanitos in Tucson, AZ

Another winner, this time in downtown Tucson. Delicious carne adasa, as I recall. We also loved the sign, which features the mascot of the restaurant, whom we named Mr. TacoFace FaucetPenis.

I mean seriously what is going on down there?

 

Whatever, it was great. Grade: A.

El Charro Tucson in Tucson, AZ

We went one night to this fancier, sit-down place. It's apparently the oldest family-operated Mexican restaurant in the United States, so props to that. They're famous for their carne seca dish, which is beef that's dried on the roof of the restaurant (in summer, at least). We had that, and it was not very good. I gotta be honest. It tasted like beef jerky tacos. Not my favorite. Grade: C.

Adolfo's Taco Shop in Willcox, AZ

Got some food here after a cold, windy couple hours of birding at Lake Cochise. We weren't quite sure what it was, but this place was our favorite food of the whole trip. Great tortillas, perfect burritos. Plus, this painting was on the wall, which I couldn't look away from.

He's looking right into my soul! Grade: A+

El Zarape in Nogales, AZ

We needed to eat so badly after our impromptu all-day 12 mile hike down California Gulch for the Nutting's Flycatcher. This place was listed as the best Mexican food in Nogales. It was just OK, I think. Grade: B+

Nico's Mexican Food in Tucson, AZ

Some final breakfast burritos on our way out of Tucson. These were delicious, but tough to eat as the driver. I should have pulled over. Either way, a great final meal. Until next time, border towns! Grade: A-

All the Bird Stuff I Got for Christmas

Once your relatives know you're a birder, you'll be getting tons of birds stuff every Christmas. It's great, mostly, and who am I to complain about anything anyway I'm getting free things from loved ones and everything's great. But still, one can only have so many bird calendars, you know? Like, one per year. 

Thankfully, my loved ones have great taste and a classy touch. Let me share with you the great bird-y things I got this year.

Let's start with my mom, who gave me a bunch of little goodies.

Some pretty postcards and a magnet. Nice.

A Charley Harper bird mobile! I will hang this above my bed maybe because I am a grown man.

A cute little birding journal that I can, like, write my notes in. Being completely honest, I will never use this because I am not 90 years old and it's not 1971, but it's a very nice little book and deserves to be filled with pretty memories and sightings.

Thanks, mom! You're great and beautiful and good at giving presents. 

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