Review: HUMMINGBIRD NEST, Module 4, Poetry

O’Connell George, Kristine. 2004. HUMMINGBIRD NEST. Ill. by Barry Moser. San Diego, CA: Harcourt. ISBN # 0152023259

This journal of poems is Kristine O’Connell George’s story of two months of observations of a compelling hummingbird. This hummingbird made itself at home on her porch and proceeded to lay two eggs. The recollections are told through flowing, rhythmic poetry. The selections are informative and beautiful. The information follows the arrival of the hummingbird, the construction of the nest, the appearance of two eggs, the hatchlings and the guarding of the hatchlings, and the first flight of the new birds. The hummingbird becomes a major focal point for the family, the daughter checks frequently as in NEST CHECK, “Can’t resist, have to check just once more today- while the mother is away”. These events are certainly a learning and growing experience for this family member. The family dog and cat are even pulled into the events, inconveniently. In THE DOG COMPLAINS the dogs feelings are made known, “That bird is making a mess-splashing, flapping…swimming hole? Out, bird! That’s my bowl!”, and in THE CAT REMARKS, “I’m locked in jail, can’t go outside. (I certainly tried.) I’m a prisoner- because of a bird. How absurd.” The verses are full of sound and action from the beginning as in VISITOR, “Bright flits, brisk zips, a green-gray blur, wings, zings, and whirr”. Warmth, imagery, and feeling are also included as in JUST HATCHED, “Each new breath a shudder as he huddles down deep in the nest, head tucked in, his body softly rounded, warmly molded to the form he once knew so well, the smooth curved shell”. These wonderful verses are supported by beautiful illustrations which accompany each poem. These illustrations solidify the visual elements of the poetry, the spiders’ webbing in the nest, the curiosity of the child, the frustration of the dog, and the helplessness of the newly hatched chick. Together the poetry and illustrations create a beautiful true tale of new life. This book is enhanced further by the author’s note and humming bird facts which appear at the end.