Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 01/17/2024 *Starred Review* Tiny but superstrong and extremely fast, hummingbirds can fly long distances, yet they can also hover in the air. They can fly up, down, sideways, and even upside down. In this beautiful picture book, a hummingbird shares his memories of growing up alongside his older sister, who hatched two days earlier. The two birds, originally the size of bumblebees, hatch from navy bean–sized eggs in a quarter-sized nest. When they feel a breeze, they open their mouths so that their mother can feed them. One day, she does not return, but someone takes them to a bird rehabilitation center, where a caregiver blows on them and feeds them. The younger hummingbird watches his sister take flight and find her own food. Soon both fly free. They migrate and, after returning, find mates. The back matter offers further information about these amazing animals and how people can help them. A naturalist with a gift for helping readers imagine what they may never have touched or even seen, Montgomery writes in ways that immediately bring the birds’ qualities into focus, such as, “I am made mostly of air—like a bubble wrapped in feathers.” Painted on wood with acrylics, the illustrations are vibrantly colorful and wonderfully detailed. A captivating bird book. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.