Meet 2014 Minnesota Book Award finalist Sue Leaf at the Cultural Center on October 22 at 7:30 p.m.

As part of the Cultural Center’s 2nd annual Little Big Year birding project, Leaf will be talking about her biography of Thomas Sadler Robert, doctor, educator, author, and ornithologist, who arrived in Minnesota in 1867 as a 9-year-old. His fascinating life story is set against the growth and development of the state of Minnesota.

Leaf, trained as a zoologist, now writes on environmental topics and serves as president of the Wild River Audubon Society.

Admission $5.00; children 16 and under Free. No charge for members of the Little Big Year (cost to join is just $10 for the year; entry at this and future events is free).

Review by William Souder states that “Sue Leaf’s engaging and carefully researched portrait of Thomas Sadler Roberts captures not just the man but also the place and time in which his passions-medicine and ornithology-were born. Leaf tells Robert’s story with grace and empathy. A lively, important biography.”