"A tiny white egg the size of a jelly bean appeared
in the nest. The next day, the hummingbird laid
another egg. Day after day Noah watched her sit
on the eggs, taking only short breaks to feed
herself. She seemed so calm, oblivious to the city
lights and traffic sounds."
Isabelle Groc is an accomplished conservationist, photographer and writer. Here she brings her talents to telling the story of a wee Anna's hummingbird who built her nest on the 22nd floor balcony of an urban high rise. Ms. Groc's lasting fascination with the tiny bird, and its ability to adapt to its surroundings led her to seek stories from people whose experiences with this beautiful bird concerned the amazing places they built their nests.
One of those stories came from Noah's family. They had just moved into their apartment. Noah loved the lights they had strung on their balcony; so, the lights remained. A first photo of Noah shows him watering the plants there. On the facing page, Ms. Groc offers a clear photo of an Anna's hummingbird with pertinent information about hummingbirds themselves.
The balcony lights got the attention of one small female Anna's hummingbird. Noah knew little about them; he learned a lot. Over following pages, readers learn many valuable facts about this particular hummingbird. First, she has adapted to having people close by. She puts all her work into finding necessary materials to build a nest that is hidden from predators and offers protection from wind and rain. Noah has worries about the dangers of being where she is.
As the text passes back and forth from what is happening with Noah and his bird to the factual material, the author ensures that readers are given an astonishing number of facts about the hummingbird species. Noah's days are filled with observation and learning as he spends time watching and waiting. As readers become part of Noah's experience, they learn about anatomy, song, nesting, incubation, threats to their existence, caring for injured and orphaned hummingbirds, and birth after 17 days of incubation.
Feeding the newly hatched is an onerous task. Noah watches as the mother bird returns constantly to the nest with nectar and tiny bugs. They grow quickly; two weeks later the nest is almost too small for them. At three weeks, they are ready to test their wings. Too soon, the family is gone. Two years later, a second bird returns to the exact spot and also cares for two babies. Noah can only hope it will happen again.
The author's research offers clear science for readers interested in learning more about these tiny treasures of nature. Her storytelling presents the touching tale of a boy whose patience and wonder allow the whole experience to unfold as it should.
And from Ms. Groc:
They are a reminder of the power of nature in our lives and why it is so essential to protect it. I hope this book will be an inspiration for young readers to pay attention to the beauty of nature around them.
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