Tiny Bird: A Hummingbird's Amazing Journey

by Robert Burleigh, Wendell Minor (Illustrator)

Robert Burleigh's narrative nonfiction picture book follows a hummingbird’s migration south for the winter, with stunning art by Wendell Minor.

When the last summer flowers open their petals to the sun, it’s time for a tiny ruby-throated hummingbird to dip its beak into the heart of each bloom, extracting as much nectar as possible before the hard trip ahead.

Today is the day Tiny Bird begins its amazing journey south for the winter, traveling as fast as thirty miles an hour for hundreds of miles on end. The trip is long, with savage weather and many predators along the way, but Tiny Bird is built for this epic journey and eventually arrives at its winter home.

This inspiring migratory and life cycle story celebrates the important and impressive feat of a small but mighty creature.

Christy Ottaviano Books

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

40 pages, Hardcover

Published April 14, 2020

About the author

Over the past 35 years, I have published poems, reviews, essays, many filmstrips and videos, and more than 40 children's picture books.

Born and raised in Chicago, I graduated from DePauw University (Greencastle, Indiana) and later received an MA in humanities from the University of Chicago. I've published books for children since the early 1990s. My books - including numerous unpublished ones! - run a broad gamut, from stories geared for pre-schoolers to survival stories and biographies aimed at seven to eleven-year-olds. My work is wide-ranging because, basically, I'm a generalist by experience - and inclination!

In addition to writing, I paint regularly under the art name Burleigh Kronquist and have shown work in one-person and group shows in Chicago, New York, and elsewhere around the country.

-from robertburleigh.com

Reviews

[Christine]

I just adore hummingbirds! What a great children's book.

[Taylor E]

Excellent little gem. Full of interesting information easily accessible to little kids. I also appreciate the list of resources and additional notes at the end. Lovely artwork is always a plus for children's books these days.

[Sandy Brehl]

Who doesn't love hummingbirds.
I count myself among those who are avid fans, having worked in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation which allowed my to help and injured hummer recover and eventually return to the wild. I've considered that little friend's fate each spring and as these seemingly delicate little warriors battle their way across the Gulf of Mexico.
The author uses the ruby-throated hummingbird as an example the species for this fantastic exploration of the ways in which they feed, nest, lay and hatch eggs, maintain a place in the biomes and food chains that Nature presents.
I'm also a fan of illustrator Wendell Mintext and the creaor, who ability to capture and enhance the creature allows readers to experience hummingbird life with drama and empathy. Although I've lived with hummingbirds in real life, film, and in books for adults and children, there were aspects of life cycles that were new to me.
Highly recommended for nonfiction content, beauty and grace of illustration, and pure joy!

[Frankie S]

Wow! What a journey these little birds take!? Great book and illustrations to showcase this tiny wonder.

[Serina]

I remember one time when I was younger getting a non fiction book that had page after page of brilliantly colored hummingbirds. I was stunned at the variety and beauty.

This book does none of that. It shows one type of hummingbird. And not even in it's full iridescent brillance. Instead it's muted and details blurred.

It's just about it's migration path.

[Yosselin Gonzalez]

Did you know that there are over 300 different types of hummingbirds in this planet? WOW, RIGHT? This is something I didn’t even know upon I read this book and started researching about this bird as the author shared so much insight of hummingbird which I really enjoyed. In this book, Tiny Hummingbird,” readers begin with being introduced to a tiny Ruby Hummingbird, who goes on an amazing journey. Along its way, the hummingbird bumps into some encounters with other animals, a fish, an eagle, and insects. Normally a hummingbird can travel as much as 23 miles in one day, but during migration they uncover a SUPER long journey of 500 miles at a time. Thus, the major theme in the book includes bravery and determination as these tiny creatures makes its way to a far-off winter home. Through the hummingbird’s adventure, readers gain knowledge on how hummingbirds travel when they migrate. The author, Robert Burleigh, allows readers to develop their learning of hummingbird when informing them that when migrating they are become these sharp-eyed birds, and gain their fuel from insects and flowers. As Burleigh shares the perspective of hummingbird when traveling to their new winner homes, it reminds readers of the beauty within nature. The main genre of this book is an informational book that its best suitable for ages 4 to 8 with amazing themes and educational storytelling that can be appreciated by readers who enjoy learning about birds and the nature routine of migration. Through reading this book, I learned the importance of determination and courage as one overcomes obstacles. Some of the literary devices the author presented within this book includes imagery and personification. These three different writing techniques are shown as the author paints the setting of the hummingbird’s migration journey, while giving personification to the hummingbird to allow readers to generate a deeper connection to the surroundings of this story. I would consider this book anti-bias because it promotes diversity and inclusivity within the hummingbird’s journey as the book showcases different type of creature of all shape, size, and colors. Also, Burleigh encourages readers to embrace differences and unique qualities that can may one special in their own way.

[Stephanie Bange]

A beautiful explanation of the pattern of migration in the fall of a hummingbird to Central America.

Burleigh is a master of sensitive stories, with this one featuring one of God's tiniest gifts in nature. The reader will see and feel all of the joys and dangers experienced by Tiny Bird on his long journey to his winter home. The text is full of emotion, questions to consider, and information delivered in a most enjoyable form. My only quibble is that Burleigh refers to Tiny Bird a few times as "it", when it is obvious by the illustrations that Tiny Bird is a male - why not use "he" pronoun? Burleigh includes a page of fun facts about hummingbirds, in a Q&A format. Backmatter also includes several things young readers can do to help these creatures and a list of books and a website for more information about them.

The exquisite illustrations were rendered by Wendell Minor in gouache watercolor on Strathmore 500 Bristol paper. They are so detailed and realistic that they add information themselves. The endsheets include illustrations of the hummingbird's nest (which is about the size of a quarter), a male hummingbird showing wingspan and body length, a chicken egg shown next to a hummingbird egg (for comparison), and a map of Tiny Bird's journey - 1500 miles, from Connecticut to southern Mexico.

Highly Recommended for PreSchool-grade 3.

[Beverly]

This simple exploration of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird's migratory flight from the New England area to Mexico can be shared with pre-school and early elementary children. Wendell Minor rendered the beautiful gouache watercolor paintings. Endpapers show the actual size of the hummingbird, the size of its nest and egg, and a map of its migration. The back matter supplies a lot more information about hummingbirds, instructions for luring hummingbirds to one's backyard, and a short bibliography. A good companion book to Hummingbird by Nicola Davies.

[Margaret]

If you listen closely, you'll hear them before you see them. By remaining as still as possible, they'll hover close to you as they sip sweet nectar. From your peripheral vision their striking colors are vividly apparent through a blur of wings. Their size would seem to delegate them as delicate beings, but that is far from the truth.

Each year they endure an arduous adventure few humans would undertake. Tiny Bird: A Hummingbird's Amazing Journey (Christy Ottaviano Books, Henry Holt and Company, April 14, 2020) written by Robert Burleigh with illustrations by Wendell Minor explores every aspect of this feat through facts, an exquisitely descriptive narrative and realistic, remarkable paintings. You will enjoy memorable moments as you marvel at this inspiring wonder found in nature.


My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Stephanie Tournas]

Another stellar non fiction picture book offering by this talented duo. Readers follow a hummingbird on its journey from north to south, watching as it feeds, speeds along at nearly 30 miles an hour, avoids predators, and successfully traverses the Gulf of Mexico to winter over in a warmer clime. Beautiful watercolor illustrations document the book, with closeups and a map on the end papers. The text is easy to read but perfectly imparts information about this amazing bird. Additional facts at the end, including how to make your own hummingbird feeder.

[Joyce Uglow]

Follow Tiny Bird, an aerobatic Ruby-throated hummingbird, in Robert Burleigh’s gorgeous nonfiction picture book, TINY BIRD: A Hummingbird’s Amazing Journey. Told in third person, this lyrical story uses alliteration, onomatopoeia, imagery, and a fun refrain. Readers learn about a hummingbird’s solo flight over farmland, cities, and the Gulf of Mexico encountering predators and storms before reaching its winter home in southern Mexico. Facts woven throughout the text and in Wendell Minor’s evocative illustrations, provide colorful information about size, feeding, and the bird’s perilous flight. Burleigh skillfully conveys the bird’s movements with lyrical text and action words. Endnotes provide super-interesting details about hummingbirds and encourage readers to make their yards hummingbird-friendly. Young readers - and adults alike - will enjoy reading about Tiny Bird’s incredible 1500-mile migration.

[Barbara]

Tiny Bird by Robert Burleigh is the story of a hummingbird's flight to Mexico. Magnificent illustrations by Wendell Minor show the strenuous journey this little bird takes through the vast world as it makes it's way to it's summer home. The text keeps the reader on the edge of their seat as you hope beyond hope for this bird that is no bigger than a child's hand to arrive safely. This is a wonderful non-fiction picture book for kids age 2 - 10.

[Ashley]

A very informative picture book detailing the migration journey of a ruby-throated hummingbird along with some various facts about the delicate bird. I found it fascinating that they travel up to 1,500 miles and 500 of those miles are above the ocean nonstop. Hummingbirds are one of my favorite animals and we see the ruby throated hummers come around a lot. This is a great story to share with elementary school age kids about the life of a hummingbird.

[Mary Beth Str8K]

I don’t often record, much less write a review of, the 100s of picture books I read every year, but Burleigh’s book was exceptional. With the beautiful illustrations of Wendell Minor and Robert Burleigh’s text the reader learns details about a hummingbird and its annual treacherous migration south. This a great migration book for any library.

[Mo]

The illustrations show more than once that the hummingbird is getting nectar from flat open petal flowers and even states in the fact list at the end of the book that they do, but they don't. The back of the book also contradicts itself and says they get nectar from tubular flowers, which is true. Otherwise, cute illustrations with more info dump at the back.

[Gabrielle Stoller]

I love hummingbirds. We have one that loves to visit our backyard.

Their size and their wings never cease to amaze me. And to think about the migration journey they go on!!

Great non-fiction text all about the tiny but mighty bird!

[Annamarie Carlson (she, her)]

Learn about the life of a hummingbird, including their long migration south each winter (including a 500 mile flight over the Gulf of Mexico!). Told as a story, the informational text is paired with beautiful watercolor illustrations by Wendell Minor.

[Judy Ripke]

A very informative book about a special little bird.

[Raven Black]

Accessible for multiple levels. Lovely illustrations. Nonfiction/fiction story

[Kelly]

Fascinating account of the migration of the tiny hummingbird.

[Jared White]

Follow a beautiful, tiny bird from its birthplace in the northern US to its wintering place in southern Mexico. Quite a journey for such a small creature.

[Neha Thakkar]

Soft and detailed illustrations accompany stanza text (poem like but not rhyming) that explain how a hummingbird migrates.

[Sierra]

Beautiful illustrations!

[Deidra Chamberlain]

A Big Year for kids, it’s sweet.

[The Library Lady]

A hummingbird IS amazing. Here is a fine example of picture book nonfiction by a master of that craft.

[Elizabeth]

A book about a hummingbird migrating. The illustrations are beautiful and would be a great resource to show kids learning about birds.

[Margaret Dee]

Beautifully illustrated book chronicling the story of the hummingbirds’s annual flight to its Winter home

[Terri]

Read this with my son and enjoyed the pictures and the wonderful information about hummingbirds. We learned so much and started researching more.

We will be feeding these little guys as well.

[Michelle]

Beautiful art.

[Joleen]

Excellent! Well written and illustrated. Educational and interesting.