Brave Baby Hummingbird is a work of art!

Now, you could say that about all picture books, that they’re works of art. But now and then a book comes along that gobsmacks you with its beauty. This is one of those.

Author Sy Montgomery takes us inside the head of a baby hummer who, along with its sister, is suddenly left alone in the nest. Along comes a rehabber. At first that jarred me, and I couldn’t help thinking, Oh, no, must we bring a human into the story? But, as it turns out, there was no reason to fret. We readers stay fixed inside the head of the baby, and on the very few occasions the human is referenced at all, it is merely as “a Voice” the baby hears. Which, in my view, is exactly the way it should be, as rehabbers work very hard to keep their tiny charges wild. After all, the goal is release! (And wait till you see what rehabbers have to do every 20 minutes.) Lots of terrific backmatter included in this one, too, that will have you wanting to keep a feeder filled for these little cuties, at the very least.

Montgomery’s tone is friendly and matter of fact, and she masterfully weaves in details that sometimes floored me (how did I not know hummers could fly upside down?!). But, I have to say, what really blew me away is the art, by first-timer Tiffany Boric. Take a look at these stunners:

I didn’t want to share any art that isn’t already on S&S’s webpage, so you’ll have to trust me when I say that any spreads that include flowers will have your jaw dropping.

If your library doesn’t already have this one, ask for it, because it’s excellent.

Sy Montgomery & Tiffany Bozic, Simon & Schuster, Paula Wiseman Books, 2024.