The great American wildlife artist Audubon created images of North American birds that have seldom been surpassed in beauty and aesthetic quality. Here are 12 of these superb illustrations — Carolina wren, mangrove cuckoo, northern oriole, brown creeper, 8 more — each printed in full color on one side of a sturdy bookmark.

Including the red-winged blackbird, painted bunting, wood duck, great blue heron, ruby-throated hummingbird, purple finch, and blue jay, 46 different species of birds from all parts of the United States are included in this book. The pictures have been faithfully redrawn by Paul E. Kennedy from originals by John James Aububon (1785-1851), the most famous American painter-naturalist. For each species, the caption supplies the modern common and scientific names and the current range (by general region). No distinction is made between breeding range and winter range. Only the area of the United States, exclusive of Alaska and Hawaii, is considered. The birds shown are usually adult males when the caption does not give the information on age and sex. Audubon's original plates, numbered to correspond to the pages of the book, have been reproduced in color on the covers. If you follow them, you will not only have a great deal of coloring pleasure, but you will also learn how to identify many important birds.

These enchanting images are ideal for marking your place in any book. Twelve captivating bookmarks depict a host of ethereal fairyland creatures in repose against colorful garden backdrops — seated on a leafy perch beneath lovely blossoms, climbing an ivy vine, and in other floral settings. Printed on sturdy stock and laminated for durability, these easily detachable, ready-to-use place keepers, presented in a handy book format, will stay clean and wrinkle-free until ready for use.

The author of "Passed On: African-American Mourning Stories" explores the public side of reading, and specifically how books and booklists form a public image of African Americans. 10 illustrations.