Springtime Storks: A Migration Love Story

by Carol Joy Munro, Chelsea O'Byrne (illustrator)

Based on the true story of two storks whose dedication to each other captured the world’s attention, this soaring tale is a heartfelt call to protect the routes of migratory birds.Katerina and Luka, two majestic, mated white storks, are in flight when Katerina is shot down by a hunter and left severely injured. Nearby, a man and his granddaughter see the bird fall from the sky and rush to her rescue. As they nurse Katerina back to health, Luka, who has been by her side night and day, feels the coming cold and knows he must migrate—even though it means leaving his beloved Katerina behind, to be cared for by the family who rescued her. When spring arrives, Katerina watches the sky, hoping that she might see Luka's familiar silhouette again . . .  and he returns! Together, they raise a new brood, overcoming Katerina's flightlessness with ingenuity and devotion. Poetic and gorgeously illustrated, Springtime Storks is an ode to the resilience, dedication, and love between two migratory birds, while also delivering an urgent message of conservation.

Genres: Picture Books, Birds, Animals, Nature, Childrens, Nonfiction, Family

40 pages, Hardcover

Published December 10, 2024

Reviews

[Chelsea Kram · Rating 5 out of 5]

A genuinely stunning and special story with incredible illustrations by Chelsea O’Byrne. The story is quite unique and interesting and I found the illustrations complemented it really well. My kids (2&4) really enjoyed it and had really good questions about the story. I found the illustrations really helped answer or explain their questions.

[Julie Rowan-Zoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of love, devotion, and kindness after a terrible and true incident during the stork’s migration from Croatia to South Africa. Told from the injured stork’s point of view, the language will leave rapt readers with renewed appreciation for feathered friends. With a stunning palette and strong compositions, the art is adorned with cultural context as well. Sublime!

[Julie Hedlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

A breathtakingly beautiful story based on a pair of real storks. Despite its main characters being avian, this book gives me hope for humanity. Set your heart on a course for love and you will find it.

[Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning illustrations combined with lyrical text.

[Stephanie ((Strazzybooks)) · Rating 4 out of 5]

two stork birdies are mated and though the female cannot migrate, the male returns to her every spring to further grow their family. a sweet little book that's based on a true story.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my heart! So sweet and so lovely! I especially love that it's inspired by a true story.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the true story of Malena, the White Stork shot down in Croatia, this story follows Katerina as she is shot by a gun, recuperates at a farmer's house, but is forever unable to migrate. Her mate, Luke, returns each spring to raise chicks with Katerina.

[Carol Jones-Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author, Carol Joy Munro, writes her first real life true story of two storks called: Springtime Storks: A Migration Love Story. They are a bird that mates for life. There is a flock of storks that has begun migrating to warmer climates when Katerina is shot by a hunter. Her mate Luka, stays behind as long as he can, but is urged on by Katerina, as she is being taken care of by some people, good at medical care.

The origin of this book came about when Author Carol Munro watched a video about two storks from Croatia to South Africa, named Malena and Klepetan. She was very inspired and touched by this real life story.

I quote from Carol: "I write this poem in first person from Malena's point of view, imagining the emotions she experienced. When I decided to revamp it as a picture book, it had to be fictionalized. There was no way for me to interview her, of course, and there's no way a human could fully know how an animal truly feels. Besides, I'm not Brave enough to do all the heavy research necessary for a non-fiction story. Kudos to those who can! There also would be a language barrier if I had interviewed anyone involved in caring for Malena. So I kept it a fictional story inspired by truth.

Malena's primary caregiver was Stjepan Vokic, a school custodian, who had rescued Malena when she was shot. I believe he was alone when he found her and took her home. I needed to bring a child into my story, so I leave the caregiving tasks to a girl and her grandfather."

I enjoyed this very much. It is a very short story that has a lot of tender and fun parts to it. They addressed having violence in the story, and that was handled very well. For a first time writer, she did a very good job.

[Joanna Norland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carol Joy Munro adopts the first person voice of Katerina Stork to narrate an adventure that celebrates the power of love and loyalty to overcome terrifying adversity.
When Katerina is shot by hunters, she is well cared for by a local farmer and child, and comes to accept that she can no longer fly distances. But a different kind of yearning remains until her mate, Luka, braves the migration back from South Africa to find her and raise their family of chicks together — leaving with a promise to return next year “when the magnolias bloom.”
The love story provides context for meaty back matter about the loyal pair of real-lifestorks who inspired this story, global stork conservation efforts and the various birds mentioned.
Chelsea O’Byrne’s naive, dream-like illustrations in chalk and coloured pencil convey the storks’ love through swirling flights, showers of flowers and the soft glow of sunsets. The storks’ graceful necks and intelligent eyes have an expressive, emotive quality that quietly connect with the reader. Her soft images provide a soothing counter-weight to the disturbing backdrop of illegal and recreational hunting, so that this story is approachable and inspiring, while sending a strong message about our responsibility to care for wildlife.
Highly recommended, especially for children who love animal stories.

[Alexondra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Astra Publishing House for the eArc!

This was such a charming story about white storks, a species of bird that doesn’t often get mentioned much, with the exception of the occasional joke about them delivering babies.

Told from the first person narrative of stork Katerina, the story didn’t shy away from the misfortunes the stork endured but was still quick to follow them with the wonderful things she encountered as to not upset young readers. I also greatly appreciated that the story didn’t treat Katerina differently or less than after it was revealed she would never be able to take her migratory journey again. Books like these are often the first steps in having conversations with young ones about disabled individuals and how sometimes everyone has different bodies.

Katerina may have to stay behind every Winter, but she still has a family that loves her and she is still a stork, and that’s important for children to see.

Pair this truly heartwarming story with a gorgeous illustration style and a Spring-themed color palette, and you get this wonderful book. Even the end pages are gorgeous!

I will absolutely be buying this for my library, I think the fact that it’s based on a true story will make students love it all the more.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review will be live on my blog - donnasbookblog on 10 December 2024 - publication day!

This is a brilliant book and I really enjoyed the story.

The book is based on the true story of two White Storks - Luka and Katerina. Katerina is shot on their migration flight and cannot continue, she is rescued by a lovely family who take care of her and bring her back to health, although she is no longer able to fly.

The book sees Katerina and the family who cared for her waiting for the next migration back to see if Luka will successfully find his mate...

I thought that the book was really well written and it has some beautiful illustrations to bring the story to life too.
It is a really special story to read too and one that is made even more amazing when you remember that this is based on their true story.

The book is a poignant reminder of how many birds do not make it to their breeding grounds, or overwintering grounds as they are shot or killed on migration too - there is detail about the various campaigns for this to stop in counties such as Cyprus and Malta online - it definitely gives you food for thought.

It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended and a pleasure to read!

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narrated by a stork, this beautifully illustrated tale is a fictionalized version of a true story. Katerina is a stork migrating to warmer climes when she is shot and injured. A kindhearted farmer and his granddaughter rescue her while her distraught mate, Luka, looks on. Luka continues on the 8K+ mile migration route to South Africa while the humans tend Katerina’s injuries over the winter. In the spring, he returns to Katerina and they spend the summer together. When fall comes around, Luka leaves again for the south, this time accompanied by the stork couple’s five offspring.

This is a charming story about migration and how humans can hurt and help migrating birds. The storks’ voices are realistic embodiments of separated adults, without maudlin embellishment. The description of Katerina’s care in the hands of the humans will fascinate young readers, and the truly lovely pastel and pencil artwork uses lush, deep colors and a variety of perspectives to tell the story from a stork’s point of view. An author’s note describes the event in 1993 that inspired the book, and there’s a page of information about storks and other birds present in the story.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like Feathers Together, by Caron Levis and Charles Santoso (illustrator), this book was inspired by the true story of a stork called Malena and her mate, Klepetan, and the rescue and rehabilitation efforts of Stjepan Vokic, who cared for Malena after she was shot by a hunter. That seems to be the real human interest story here—not the one told from Malena’s point of view, as if that were possible. Anthropomorphizing animals leads kids to think that animals have human emotions and motivations, that wild animals can and want to be friends with humans when, in fact, they are simply dependent on human care when raised or rehabilitated in captivity. The story about Vokic and his wildlife conservation efforts, including his advocacy for the enforcement of laws protecting migratory birds in hazardous flyways in Lebanon, seems much more interesting and true to life—and it could inspire kids to follow in his courageous and compassionate footsteps. Though colorful, the illustrations lack perspective and don’t show how large the storks actually are. The Author’s Note includes the background story that inspired the book and a brief description of the birds mentioned in the story.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carol Joy Munro's Springtime Storks: A Migration Love Story tells the story of two storks, Luka and Katerina, who are flying with a flock of storks when Katerina is struck by a bullet. She falls from the sky to the ground. A grandfather and a child run towards the stork. The bullet wasn't meant to hit the stork, but rather another bird in the air. Katerina is carried into their home and treated for her injuries. In the middle of the night, Luka and the other storks gazed into the window to see if Katerina was alright. She cannot continue on with the migration with the rest of the birds and remains in human care. She is well taken care of by them. As spring approaches, they help her build a nest atop their house. In hopes that Luka will come back and find her, Katerina sits in a nest. She spies a stork in the distance one day and it turns out to be Luka. That season, Katerina gives birth to five baby storks. Although she is too injured to join Luka and the rest of the storks on their migration, Luka always returns for her every year.

[Shan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet book! It felt almost like a fresh and new fairytale, which many kids will absolutely adore. The only thing that I don't think kids would like as much is the beginning. It was sad for me to read, and I believe that it will scare young readers or make them sad, even if the rest of the book is happier. A potential way to make it less sad/scary would be to make the story third-person rather than first-person.
However, the illustrations were serene, beautiful, and perfect for the tone of the story. The way the illustrator worked with gradients and the opposites of soft and bright colors was stunning. Every illustration complemented the story well, without being to over- or underwhelming.
Lastly, I think that it was such a smart idea for the author to take a real-life event and turn it into a kids' story. Both the illustrator and author are very talented and came together to make a really lovely story.
Bravo!

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Springtime Storks: A Migration Love Story, Carol Joy Munro tells the story of two storks, Katerina and Luka, and their devotion to each other. Through the author’s use of beautiful lyrical language, we learn how Katerina was injured by a hunter (the book literally opens with a “Bang!”), leaving her unable to continue the migration south with her mate, Luka. When “the magnolias bloom” and spring returns, Katerina has almost given up hope of Luka’s return when she spots something in the sky from her rooftop nest. Luka is back and together they raise their chicks. The author introduces readers to other birds and offers additional information about them in the backmatter. She also includes an Author’s Note explaining the real-life storks who inspired the story. This book, enhanced by expressive art from Chelsea O’Byrne, is filled with emotion and wonder about the mysteries of nature that you won’t want to miss. It would make a welcome addition to any classroom or home library.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Springtime Storks is a story based on real events. Storks mate for life and when one is injured or killed, the other lonely stork must navigate life alone. In this story, an injured stork is found by kind villagers and nursed back to health but unable to fly. When spring comes around, the villager puts a nest on his rooftop, and amazingly the injured stork's mate returns. Although unable to fly, she manages to raise chicks continuing the future of an endangered species. The illustrations in the book are delightful with clean lines and bold colors. There is an author's note with more details about storks and the dangers they face from hunters that will be valuable when children want to know more.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on a real story. The lady stork was shot in the wing and then tended by a local farmer. Her mate had to migrate but came back to her every year for 28 years even as they raised a family on that farm. This is a beautiful story well told.
The illustrations by Chelsea O'Byrne are clear, imaginative, colorful, and meaningful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to EVERYONE, but especially to a school, hospital, or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC on Adobe Digital Editions from Astra Publishing House | Minerva via NetGalley. Thank you! Avail Dec 10, 2024

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC for #SpringtimeStorks from #NetGalley

At first, I thought this will be some kind of science book about storks, but actually am wrong. Based on true story, this is a love story between storks, and it exist. Mate for life, these storks showed incredible faith to each others, although situation demands differently. And not as sad as Romeo and Juliette, these two committed birds had their own way to find the other half. Such a beautiful story about animals that we rarely encounter.

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

    A true story that took place in 1993 South Africa, this moving tale is about a stork who was shot down while migrating and the family that not only took care of her from then on even after she found a mate and raised chicks at their home, but also had used the stork's love story to enact legislation in South Africa to protect migrating birds.  A beautiful example of animal love within their species and our own. Great for classrooms, libraries, and bird lovers of all ages.

[Janita Scheurwater · Rating 5 out of 5]

A notable book with beautiful language and illustrations that uplift the power of devotion book based on true story of a stork called Helena and her mate klepetan. In the autumn of of 1993 , malena was flying south from croatia to south Africa when she was shot by a hunter. Her wing was seriously injured. A man named Stjepan vokic found her on the side of the road and took her home to help her heal. Because she could no longer make the nearly 8,100 mile migration to south Africa, Vokic cared for her year_round

[Gabriele Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story of avian love and commitment. When kind human strangers rescue and care for Malena, an injured stork, we witness how, despite her new limitations (she can no longer migrate), her mate Luka remains devoted. He returns each spring to grow and raise their family, sharing as much family time as possible during their months together. O’Byrne’s artwork is stunning and beautifully complements Munro’s lovingly crafted text. Inspired by a real life event, this story is captivating and uplifting.

[Heather Preusser · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's so much to love about this picture book: it's a lyrical love story with stunning illustrations (I especially love the stork-like clouds in the full spread when Katerina attempts to fly again) told from the perspective of one of the storks, and it's based on a true story (how had I never heard of these two love birds before?!). A delightful read with additional backmatter that will appeal to teachers as well.

[Sara Ackerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this lyrical tale of love and resilience, a flock of storks is migrating to warmer climates when Katerina is wounded by a hunter. Her mate, Luka, stays behind as long as he can, but Katerina urges him to continue on, while she remains in the care of the humans who rescued her. As Katerina heals, she never stops thinking of Luka, and to her delight—and mine—Luka returns to her “when the magnolias bloom.” The tender text pairs beautifully with warmly-illustrated scenes in a pastel palette.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carol Joy Munro has written a beautiful story about two storks, Katerina and Luka. Storks mate for life and this story follows the storks after Katerina is shot and then rescued by a farmer. The reader reacts emotionally to this lifelong journey. The illustrations are beautiful and help convey the emotion presented in the story. Based on a true story that occurred in Africa, children will not only enjoy the story, but learn much about storks.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just read (and re-read) SPRINGTIME STORKS A Migration Love Story, and I have to say, I think it's one of the most beautiful, well-told, and most moving picture books I've ever read (and that is saying a lot, because I read MANY, MANY picture books). The artwork is breathtaking and the language is exquisite. This heartfelt and informative story will inspire readers young and old to read again and again. Highly recommend.

[Ellen L. Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Munro’s lyrical writing and O’Bryne’s exquisite illustrations bring to life the love story of two storks—Katerina, who is injured by a hunter, and her mate Luka. In this book, Munro has taken a deeply sad incident and turned it into a story of kindness, love, and faithfulness. The back matter presents the inspiration for this book—the real life story of Malena and Kleptan and the farmer Stjepan Vokic who rescued Malena. Kid-friendly and highly recommended.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darling picture book based on a true story! In this story, a stork is struck by a hunter's shot and falls to the ground. She is found and cared for by a human but her mate cannot stay by her side as winter approaches and so flies south. The next spring, the mate returns. Backmatter at the end gives details from the real storks the story is based on. Delightful!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really sweet story with beautiful illustrations. It is inspired by true events and is reminiscent of The Old Man and the Penguin. It would be great for preschoolers and early elementary aged readers who like birds, friendship stories or stories based on true events. The author's note and extra information about birds included after the story provide additional context.

[Sylvia Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

💞🤩 SPRINGTIME STORKS is beyond breathtaking for its lilting lyricism and incredible illustrations—all based on a true story of two storks and their unbreakable bond of love. Don't miss out on the gorgeous experience of reading this picture book debut by Carol Joy Munro with stunning art by Chelsea O'Byrne!