Springtime Storks: A Migration Love Story, written by Carol Joy Munro and illustrated by Chelsea O'Byrne. minerva, Astra Books. Penguin Random House. 2024, $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"The man scooped me up with gentle hands. 

Together, he and the girl ran with me, 
       farther and farther from Luka, 
         who crouched in the field, 
                 confused, afraid, 
                     feathers ruffling. 
                         I tried to call to him, 
                             but my cry wouldn't come."

The female stork, who narrates this tale, is shot out of the air near a farmer's field.  A fast fall has it landing on soft grass, with her mate in full pursuit. Luka is frantic about Katerina's plight; he is frightened off by the people who come to her rescue. A man picks Katerina up and, in a rush, runs far away from Luka who continues to call out for her. The man is accompanied by a young girl. Both are very concerned about the injured stork. 

Luka is always near, and wary whenever the humans come close. At sunlight, Katerina reminds Luka that he must leave to avoid the numbing cold of winter. She will not be able to join him. Katerina has good care from both child and man. Katerina heals, the seasons change, and the child runs with the stork outside in warmer weather. 

"I stretched my legs
and ran. 
I stretched my wings
and winced. 

Still, I had to try." 

Flights are short. The child helps the stork build her summer nest. As birds return, there is no sign of Luka ... Katerina stops thinking about any long flights, and languishes alone. Then, one day, she hears Luka calling for her! The father and mother become a family of five. Luka teaches the brood to fly. The family flourishes through summer sunshine. As the leaves begin to change color, Katerina knows that Luka must prepare to leave again. Promising to be back (and on time) in the spring, he is off with his new family. 

An author's note shares a version of this same story, especially focusing on the devotion felt by the stork pair. A similar event happened in Croatia; each year the male stork returned, and it was captured on video viewed by many year after year. Illustrations created with chalk pastel, colored pencil and digital pencil allow readers a clear look at setting, seasons, the care selflessly given, and the joys of being together again.