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Hummingbird Nest: A Journal of Poems
When a mother hummingbird begins to build a nest on their back patio, a family delights in the events that transpire over the next three months as the eggs are hatched, the chicks are born, and their first attempt at flight is made.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2004
About the author
Kristine O'Connell George
18 books25 followersKristine O'Connell George is one of the principal voices in contemporary children's poetry. Since her first highly-acclaimed book, The Great Frog Race was published in 1997, Kristine O'Connell George's poetry has generated excitement and earned honors and praise. Awards for her books include the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, International Reading Association / Lee Bennett Hopkins Promising Poet Award, the Golden Kite, Myra Cohn Livingston Poetry Awards, Claudia Lewis Poetry Awards, ALA notables, NCTE notables, School Library Journal Best Books, Hornbook Fanfare, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award, and IRA-CBC Children's Choice.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 29, 2020
How I love my little hummingbirds! They greet me each morning as I prepare my garden for the day's blazing sun. There is "Little Thor", a male Costa's hummer, who trails me when I have the hose so he can get himself a bit of spray. "El Capitan" is another male Costa's, but he stays on the north side of the lot, so he has two feeders he frantically monitors. And "Nepitella" is a female Anna's hummer who steadfastly feeds only at her own specific station and proudly patrols my driveway to capture, in flight, as many flying insects as she can eat. None of these hummingbirds were there when I moved in as there was basically no foliage. I have since rectified that and my Candyland Garden is proof that if you build it, they will come.
Naturally, I was drawn to this volume of illustrations and poetry, all about a hummer's nest and the before and after activity surrounding it. While my little group has managed to hide any nests away from my prying eyes, an elderly neighbour down the street has at least three nests each year and she lets me sit and watch the early morning activity. A hummer utilizes spider webs to construct the intricate nests and I am always amazed at how hard they work.
Mother is building her nest today.
Construction is already underway.
Spiders, beware!
Hummingbird's site was thoughtfully chosen
For a ready supply of webs, freshly woven.
Hummer nests usually have two eggs and it's difficult for me and my neighbour to patiently wait for the babies to hatch.
You're newly hatched; you're newly alive.
We'll need to be patient until those wings arrive.
This is such a wonderful book. The author discovered a hummer's nest in her ficus and began keeping a daily journal to record the daily happenings. Her poems are sweet and short and then there is the wonderful artwork by the inimitable Barry Moser. Perfect for children to learn about these little glittering fragments of the rainbow but also for adults to realize that in the scheme of things, Mother Nature can be quite marvelous.
Book Season = Spring (gentle captains of cobweb ships)
Naturally, I was drawn to this volume of illustrations and poetry, all about a hummer's nest and the before and after activity surrounding it. While my little group has managed to hide any nests away from my prying eyes, an elderly neighbour down the street has at least three nests each year and she lets me sit and watch the early morning activity. A hummer utilizes spider webs to construct the intricate nests and I am always amazed at how hard they work.
Mother is building her nest today.
Construction is already underway.
Spiders, beware!
Hummingbird's site was thoughtfully chosen
For a ready supply of webs, freshly woven.
Hummer nests usually have two eggs and it's difficult for me and my neighbour to patiently wait for the babies to hatch.
You're newly hatched; you're newly alive.
We'll need to be patient until those wings arrive.
This is such a wonderful book. The author discovered a hummer's nest in her ficus and began keeping a daily journal to record the daily happenings. Her poems are sweet and short and then there is the wonderful artwork by the inimitable Barry Moser. Perfect for children to learn about these little glittering fragments of the rainbow but also for adults to realize that in the scheme of things, Mother Nature can be quite marvelous.
Book Season = Spring (gentle captains of cobweb ships)
November 16, 2008
A great way to introduce young ones to the world of the hummingbird, each poem follows the progress of a mother hummingbird from the day she chooses this family's ficus plant on the porch as the site for her nest, to the day her second baby leaves the next. While I didn't find anything remarkable about the poetry, I liked this creative way of chronicling an important aspect in this avian beauty's life. The soft paintings are lovely, too. Included in the back is more information on the family (mom and two young children--this is a true story) observation of the hummingbirds, and some hummingbird facts (even though I already knew most of them, I was still surprised to learn that the nest (made of grasses and spider's webs) stretches as the baby birds grow to better accommodate them!)
October 12, 2019
It's got poetry, art, science, a narrative essay, and suggestions for further reading. It's lovely. And perfect for homeschooling families. And poetry fans. And fans of hummingbirds, those miniature ferocities.
December 13, 2008
I could totally appreciate what this book was trying to do: tell the tale of how a mother hummingbird built a nest on the author's patio and raised two chicks.
The story is told via poetry and with some lovely drawings. There's also an explanation of how the book came about, as well as fun facts about hummingbirds.
Only trouble is that the poetry wasn't always that great, and varied in style(and perspectives). Also, I found myself having to piece things together more than I probably should have had to. It's still interesting and a sweet idea, but it could have been so much better.
The story is told via poetry and with some lovely drawings. There's also an explanation of how the book came about, as well as fun facts about hummingbirds.
Only trouble is that the poetry wasn't always that great, and varied in style(and perspectives). Also, I found myself having to piece things together more than I probably should have had to. It's still interesting and a sweet idea, but it could have been so much better.
April 9, 2021
Stunningly gorgeous illustrations contribute greatly to the lovely softspoken journal of one family's experience watching a hummingbird build her nest and family right on their patio! Includes lists of more hummingbird books for children
May 30, 2018
Illustrations and story are magical!
October 9, 2019
Different types of poems but all about hummingbirds.
February 15, 2022
I thought this was a delightful poem book with lovely illustrations. A wonderful little journey of a most fascinating bird.
Read
June 30, 2024Excellent. Both the poetry and illustrations complement each other to equal more than sum of parts.
March 18, 2015
I really appreciated Hummingbird Nest, and feel it could be a great teaching tool. If independently read, there are some elements that students may overlook. When a beautiful hummingbird swoops in to build her nest, the family witnessing this is very interested, particularly the young daughter. There are a multitude of poetic elements presented within this story. Onomatopoeia of noises related to birds, strong imagery, metaphors such as gentle captain of your cobweb ship, taking various forms and rhyme.
The fact that there are many elements presented would make this a wonderful read-aloud where teachers could stop and discuss these elements and poem components. Each poem also switches narrator (such as the baby birds, the watchful girl, the family cat). This was confusing to me at first, and may be to students as well. If understood, this could present a unique look at perspective and how the poem changes at these points. Portions of this book also rhyme, which could be discussed. This book could be used with younger readers if scaffolded, or with older readers who have a good grasp of poetry.
The fact that there are many elements presented would make this a wonderful read-aloud where teachers could stop and discuss these elements and poem components. Each poem also switches narrator (such as the baby birds, the watchful girl, the family cat). This was confusing to me at first, and may be to students as well. If understood, this could present a unique look at perspective and how the poem changes at these points. Portions of this book also rhyme, which could be discussed. This book could be used with younger readers if scaffolded, or with older readers who have a good grasp of poetry.
June 4, 2010
"Her arrival, swift and flitting, was a surprise. She cameto set up house -- right on our patio!
"That mother hummingbird crafted a nest, laid her eggs, and waited for her babies. We watched it all -- hatching, growing up, flying lessons. And we kept a journal of poems so we would always remember that remarkable spring.
This is our journal. But it's their story -- our hummingbird family."
~~front flap
A charming, whimsical, delightful tale of a hummingbird and her new family. Simple, sweet poems accompanied by exquisite water color illustrations.
"That mother hummingbird crafted a nest, laid her eggs, and waited for her babies. We watched it all -- hatching, growing up, flying lessons. And we kept a journal of poems so we would always remember that remarkable spring.
This is our journal. But it's their story -- our hummingbird family."
~~front flap
A charming, whimsical, delightful tale of a hummingbird and her new family. Simple, sweet poems accompanied by exquisite water color illustrations.
July 11, 2012
I found this delightful gem at the Pleasant Grove Library. Wow! The poetry is touching, evocative; the watercolor illustrations are gorgeous. The image I see when she describes the tiny eggshells (“empty cradles”—how lovely!) on the ground beneath the nest is incredible—“Tidy housekeeper tosses ivory scraps from the nest—empty cradles no bigger than my fingertip.” The poetry is based on the author’s family’s experience of watching a hummingbird build her nest, incubate, and raise her young. A simple, yet miraculous story, beautifully told. I want my own copy of this book!
April 21, 2008
The watercolor illustrations are a beautiful accompaniment to this journal told in poems. A hummingbird nests in the potted ficus tree on the poet's patio and she and her family watch the development of the tiny birds.
November 14, 2008
A magnificent personal account describing the hatching and rearing of hummingbirds, with gorgeous watercolor illustrations. A wonderful work of art!
November 3, 2011
Oh, this is a very precious book. So beautiful.
July 31, 2012
Great addition to the poetry tub.
January 15, 2015
To the Hummingbird Nest
Barry Moser
illustrates
journal poems
in watercolor.
Barry Moser
illustrates
journal poems
in watercolor.
April 24, 2015
My girls (4 and 6) and I enjoyed today during our "poem-snack-time". Some I had to read more than once for them :)
April 3, 2017
It's Natl Poetry Month - time to read those poems - this is a great one to start with, enchanting illustrations follow the discovery of a mother hummingbird who builds a nest, lays her eggs, and sees them fledge.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews