Product Description

An intimate view of the busy, fascinating world of these birds.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #741686 in Books
• Published on: 2003-02-01
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .36" h x 8.23" w x 9.43" l, .65 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 36 pages

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 4-A whimsical look at the traits and tendencies of these fascinating creatures. Kelly follows the activities of the ruby-throated hummingbird throughout the seasons, relating facts and bits of trivia. For example, hummingbirds cannot smell and they depend on their eyesight when they are selecting flowers, and their wings beat at the rate of 3000 times per minute. "As soon as it gets nippy, most U.S. hummers take off for Mexico or South and Central America, where they will spend the winter." The tiny pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations effectively show the features described and comparisons drawn in the narrative. The text is printed in a flowing pattern that mimics the bird's erratic flight. This title will fly off the shelves.
Barbara L. McMullin, Casita Center for Technology, Science & Math, Vista, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 1-3. This very decorative book, with many small paintings of birds, flowers, and nests, follows the ruby-throated hummingbird through the year and tells a little about many facets of its life: mating, nesting, bringing up chicks, feeding, bathing, flying, defending territory, and migrating enormous distances to Mexico, Central America, or South America for the winter. Although the book design is attractive, the unusual font and wavy lines of text (occasionally vertical rather than horizontal) make reading more difficult than it needs to be. Still, primary-grade children intrigued by hummingbirds will enjoy hearing this read-aloud and looking at the charming, rather childlike pictures. Recommended for larger collections. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author
Irene Kelly is the author and illustrator of "Ebbie & Flo", an Internatioal Reading Association-Children's Book Council Children's Choice selection, which "Publisher's Weekly" called "thoroughly enjoyable." She lives in New Jersey with her husband and two children.