Hummingbird Nest
by Kristine O’Connell George

1. Bibliography:
George, Kristine O’Connell. 2004 HUMMINGBIRD NEST. Ill. by Barry Moser. CA:
Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 0152023259

Introduction:
Kristine O’Connell George was born in Denver, Colorado and lives with her family in Santa Monica, California. She began publishing in 1997. She fell in love with poetry in 1989 after taking a writing class from Myra Kohn Livingston.

“Kristine O'Connell George's poetry has generated excitement and earned honors and praise. Awards for her books include the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, International Reading Association / Lee Bennett Hopkins Promising Poet Award, the Golden Kite, Myra Cohn Livingston Poetry Awards, Claudia Lewis Poetry Award, ALA notables, NCTE notables, School Library Journal Best Books, Hornbook Fanfare, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award, and IRA-CBC Children's Choice." (kristinegeorge.com)

Kristine O’Connell George’s website offers audio clips with music of the HUMMINGBIRD NEST. Listed below are the poems that you can hear by visiting her website at http://www.kristinegeorge.com/

HUMMINGBIRD NEST is a journal compiled in poetry format by the author. This book received awards for: (kristinegeorge.com)
Claudia Lewis Poetry Award, Bank Street College of Education, John Burroughs Nature Award,Booklinks Lasting Connections, The ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award, CCBC Choices, Nominated for the 2005-2006 Texas Bluebonnet Master List, KIND Children’s Honor Book,2006-2007 South Carolina Picture Book Award, NCTE Notable Children’s Book Language Arts.

This is a real life experience of a mother hummingbird who makes her home on the patio in a ficus tree. The author’s family watch as the hummingbird is busy building her nest, hatching and tending to her young until they leave the nest. This is a remarkable book that also contains hummingbird facts. The book has been written for children ages 4 - 8 but I would recommend it for children of all ages through adults. This is a once in a lifetime experience that the author has chosen to share with those who may never have the chance to experience it in person.

The illustrations are transparent watercolor on natural paper. They colors are neutral in many of the illustrations and do not give one a true picture of the beautiful hummingbird. Many of the illustrations provide an measure of how small a hummingbird is in comparison to jacks and a ball or the dog’s water bowl as it swims around.

FEBRUARY 3
VISITOR
by Kristine O’Connell George

A spark, a glint,
a glimpse
of pixie tidbit.
Bright flits, brisk zips,
a green-gray blur,
wings, zings, and whirr-

I just heard
a humming of bird.

From HUMMINGBIRD NEST

FEBRUARY 7

NEST CONSTRUCTION
by Kristine O’Connell George

Even after days of work,
she’s still fussing, tucking-
feathers, cobwebs, a tuft
of silky grass.

Stepping lightly
around the edge,
she finally tries
it on for size,

checking to see
if it will fit
her sit.

From HUMMINGBIRD NEST

FEBRUARY 10

THE CAT REMARKS
by Kristine O’Connell George

I’m locked in jail,
can’t go outside.
(I certainly tried.)
I’m a prisoner-
because of a bird.

How absurd.

From HUMMINGBIRD NEST

FEBRUARY 27

JUST HATCHED
by Kristine O’Connell George

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
world of shell.

From HUMMINGBIRD NEST


From Publishers Weekly
"Sublime illustrations and keenly observant verse are sure to captivate in this collection about a hummingbird who sets up house in the author's backyard..."

From Booklist
"As in the best nature writing, the excitement here is in the particulars that bring readers up close to universe."


Extension:
Read the poems in the book to children, allowing the children to view the illustrations.
Bring attention to the illustrations and the size of the hummingbird by comparing the factual information provided to objects in the classroom. Hang a hummingbird feeder outside your window of the classroom or library to see if you have any surprise visitors to share with the class.


Additional works by Kristine O’Connell George include:
FOLD ME A POEM
UP!
TOASTING MARSHMALLOWS
ONE MITTEN
SWIMMING UPSTREAM
LITTLE DOG AND DUNCAN
LITTLE DOG POEMS
OLD ELM SPEAKS