Hummingbird Nest: A Journal of Poems - Hardcover

Kristine O'Connell George; Barry Moser

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0152023259 ISBN 13: 9780152023256

Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books, 2004

Synopsis

For two glorious months, one lucky family gets an intimate peek at the daily activities of a mother hummingbird and her babies. Nest building, egg hatching, flying lessons--the family sees it all unfold on the back patio. Share the experience through this poignant journal of poems filled with funny observations, fascinating hummingbird facts, and unforgettable moments.

Includes an author's note, a fact list, and suggestions for further reading.

About this title

About the Author

KRISTINE O'CONNELL GEORGE's children's books have won many major poetry awards and garnered numerous starred review. She lives in the Santa Monica Mountains in California.

BARRY MOSER is the acclaimed illustrator of many books for children and adults, including Telling Time with Big Mama Cat and Sit, Truman!, both written by Dan Harper and co-illustrated with Cara Moser, and That Summer by Tony Johnston. He lives in western Massachusetts.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* K-Gr. 4. Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world, and their fragility and astonishing strength are the drama in these small, connected poems and beautiful watercolor pictures. After a hummingbird builds her nest in a tree on the patio of George's California home, the poet keeps a journal as she and her family watch the tough, chirping mother build a house of "webs and grass" and lay two tiny eggs. They see the hatchlings emerge from the cracked shells ("each new / breath a shudder"). There's the wonder of their first flight, and then they are gone. Opposite each poem, Moser's quiet, exquisitely detailed pictures show the people watching and the small, delicate creatures. The tiny Vs of the birds' open mouths are echoed in the shapes of the pointed leaves and the spread of the tree branches. The words are fearful when the nest has emptied ("the dark seems filled with cold and cat and owl"), but the picture shows the protective moon looking down over the tree in the yard. The long, beautifully written notes with astonishing facts about hummingbirds make this a fine choice for both language arts and science classes. As in the best nature writing, the excitement here is in the particulars that bring readers close up to a universe. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0152023259
• ISBN 13: 9780152023256
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 48