MIDCOAST — Island Readers and Writers (IRW) will bring “Look Up!” a Literary Links to Science program with author, illustrator and birder Annette LeBlanc Cate, to schools on Islesboro, Vinalhaven and North Haven from April 29 to May 1.

IRW is a nonprofit organization based in Southwest Harbor that brings book-centered programs to schools and communities on outer islands and in Washington County and seeks to inspire a love of reading and learning among Maine children.

This hands-on program will consist of fieldwork and an art workshop inspired by Cate’s book Look Up! Bird-watching in Your Own Back-yard. Students will get out in the field to observe birds in their natural habitat and explore the art of observation and the wonders of birds from their behavior, color, song and migration patterns.

Following the fieldwork, students will head back to the classroom where they will illustrate their observations of the day during a workshop led by Cate. All students will receive a personally-inscribed copy of Look Up!, a 2014 ALA Robert F. Sibert Informational Honor Book.

Cate will visit Islesboro Central School on Monday, April 29, with all grade levels participating in the program.

On Tuesday, April 30, Vinalhaven School will host North Haven Community School students in grades 2 - 4 for a “Look Up!” program

On Wednesday, May 1, North Haven will host grades 5 - 7 from Vinalhaven.

Each community is bringing in conservation land trust partners to deepen the connection to place and share knowledge of the local bird habitat.

“Although these two islands are a short paddle away from each other, finding ways to connect can be challenging,” said IRW Director of School Programs Alison Johnson, in a news release. “This program provides an opportunity for students to connect with their peers from other schools and share with each other through hands-on observation and creative expression.”

Cate is also the author-illustrator of The Magic Rabbit and was an illustrator for AppleSeeds, an arts and sciences magazine for kids.

From 1995-2002, she was art director, storyboard artist, writer and animator for the Comedy Central series Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist.