The striking, original illustrations for Thomas F. Yezerski’s acclaimed children’s book, “ Meadowlands: A Wetlands Survival Story,” will be on display for the first time ever at the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission’s (NJMC) Flyway Gallery in the Meadowlands Environment Center (MEC)  today through Friday, March 30.

To celebrate the gallery showing of these full-color illustrations, Yezerski is presenting a free talk and slide show on “Meadowlands,” followed by a book signing in the MEC on Sunday, Feb. 5, from noon to 1:30 p.m. The talk is sponsored by the NJMC and the Bergen County Audubon Society.

Yezerski’s marvelously drawn book, done in watercolor and ink, tells the important story of the Meadowlands’ remarkable, ongoing environmental renaissance and conveys the importance of environmental conservation to children at an early age. 

“Meadowlands” has received rave reviews in national and regional publications – including high praise from the School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly and The New York Times – which named the book  as one of its 10 Notable Children’s Picture Books for 2011.

The Horn Book named “Meadowlands” one of the best 11 children's non-fiction books for 2011, and the New York Public Library named it one of the top 25 children’s non-fiction books of 2011. “Meadowlands” also represented New Jersey at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., in September 2011.

Said The Times in its original review: “Yezerski not only can write a book on how to teach children about their environmental impact — he has. ‘Meadowlands’ is tremendously (but not intimidatingly) informative, fun to read and gorgeous to look at.”

A former long-time Rutherford resident currently living in Hoboken, Yezerski has written and illustrated four picture books with a common theme of overcoming adversity. He has also illustrated 10 children’s books for other authors.

Copies of “Meadowlands” are available for sale at the MEC’s Tideland Treasures Gift Shop.  Tideland Treasures, located in the MEC, is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Customers may also order the book by phone by calling the store at 201-460-4652. Customers are responsible for shipping costs.

The Flyway Gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, excluding holidays.