A Hummingbird's Life (Nature Upclose)

By John Himmelman

Book Overview

Have you ever wondered how some of nature's smallest creatures spend their days? Here's your chance to take a scientifically accurate peek into the life of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), beginning with egg-laying. Striking illustrations and a lively storyline capture the real life challenges of the hummingbird.

The author also includes a glossary of unfamiliar words.

Hummingbirds are among the smallest birds in the world. They are the only birds that can fly up, down, forward, and backward. They can even hover in place. Ruby-throated hummingbirds live in the eastern half of the United States. Metallic green feathers cover their backs, and males have a bright red throat. In autumn, they migrate to Mexico or Central America. In the spring, they fly north to find a mate. Females usually lay two navy bean-sized eggs in a nest made of plant fibers, spider webs, and bark. These birds usually cover the outside of their nest with lichen so it is difficult for predators to spot them. During the summer, hummingbirds eat insects and sip nectar with their tongues. If you hang a hummingbird feeder in your yard, hummingbirds may come to feed on the sugary water inside it.

Other books in The Nature Upclose Series

♦ A Woodfrog's Life

♦ A Luna Moth's Life

♦ A Mealworm's Life

♦ A Mouse's Life

♦ A Slug's Life

• Format: Paperback
• Large Print: Yes
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1956381155
• ISBN13: 9781956381153
• Release Date: March 2022
• Publisher: Mazo Publishers
• Length: 34 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 11.0" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Hummingbirds!

"A Hummingbird's Life," written and illustrated by John Himmelman, is an excellent educational book for young readers. The book is an introduction to the life cycle of the ruby-throated hummingbird. Nearly every page contains a beautiful full-color illustration, along with simple text.Himmelman shows us hummingbirds hatching from their eggs and learning to fly. He then follows a hummingbird on his migration south, and shows us the "dance" with which the male hummingbird seeks to attract a mate. Many other aspects of hummingbirds' lives are also portrayed. The book contains moments of both humor and suspense, and ultimately celebrates the beauty and resilience of these amazing creatures.The book's educational value is enhanced by a short but useful glossary. Himmelman clearly has both a knowledge of and affection for hummingbirds, and both of these things come through in this wonderful book.