Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 03/15/2020 *Starred Review* Burleigh and Minor combine their talents to dramatic effect in this lightly fictionalized account of a ruby-throated hummingbird’s fall migration south to Central America. The opening and closing spreads depict the titular Tiny Bird in actual size (4.5 inches from wing tip to wing tip); a slightly enlarged view of its nest and eggs, paired with objects for examples relative size; and a map of its 1,500-mile migration route. “Today is the day,” the story begins, that Tiny Bird embarks on its flight from the northeastern U.S. to its wintering grounds in Mexico. Its rapid wing movements are described in onomatopoeia (Whir! Zip! Zap!), and Minor’s gouache watercolors mirror the hummingbird’s energetic movements, showing it flitting to different areas on the page or narrowly evading predators. Double-page spreads of expansive countryside and the seemingly endless waters of the Gulf of Mexico dwarf Tiny Bird, subsequently illustrating the magnitude of the journey for such a small creature. Burleigh seamlessly integrates facts about the ruby-throated hummingbird into his propulsive imagining of its migration; the snapping jaws of fish and an unexpected storm are but two of the obstacles facing the intrepid flier. Back matter offers a page of hummingbird facts and tips and resources for creating hummingbird-friendly spaces. Kids will be mesmerized by this dynamic portrait of one of nature’s winged wonders. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 04/01/2020 K-Gr 2—Each ruby-throated hummingbird migrates alone from North America to Mexico for the winter, a journey of over 1,500 miles. The narrative begins by describing the unique flying abilities of the hummingbird that allow it to hover and dart up, backward and forward as it extracts nectar from the last blossoms of summer. Soon the urge to migrate compels the tiny bird to fly south. The hummingbird, sometimes reaching speeds of 30-miles-per-hour, arrives at the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. During its solo 500-mile nonstop flight across the water, the bird is confronted by crashing waves, leaping fish, and thunderstorms amply illustrated in dark spreads. Many hummingbirds do not survive this ordeal. A one-page "Fun Facts" section amplifies information presented in the narrative. Another section describes how people can make their yards into a hummingbird "dining spot." The endpapers include a map of the hummingbird's migration journey and other facts. VERDICT The narrative and illustrations, though informative, do not quite capture the magical wonder of hummingbirds. Useful as an additional title in large public or school libraries.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 03/15/2020 - Copyright 2020 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 04/01/2020 - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.