My Tiny Life by Ruby T. Hummingbird
Series
A Nature Diary
written and illustrated by
Paul Meisel
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
Holiday House
Imprint
Holiday House
ISBN
9780823443222
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
None
Tiny but mighty! The ruby throated hummingbird leads a fascinating life. This is the fourth book in the critically acclaimed Nature Diary science series.
May 15: Today I poked my way out of this tiny egg.
With Mom feeding him insects and nectar, Ruby T. Hummingbird is soon able to beat his wings and fly—up, down, backward, and forward—and forage for himself. But don’t be fooled! This elegant creature can turn into a fierce fighter if another hummingbird tries to feed on his flower—or his hummingbird feeder.
June 21: This flower is MINE! No you don’t.
A second test of his strength comes when he migrates to a warmer climate in the fall and a cooler climate in the spring.
March 1, 5 a.m.: I’m off! Wish me luck.
2 p.m.: Still flying. A short rainstorm, but there’s nowhere to stop.
9 p.m.: I’m getting closer. I have to keep flying because I’m still over water.
11:30 p.m.: I made it!Information about ruby-throated hummingbirds. Glossary. Sources and recommended reading. Hummingbird information. Full-color illustrations were created with watercolor, acrylics, gouache, and digital tools.
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
None
Details
Format
Page Count
40
Trim Size
11" x 9"
Dewey
598.7
AR
1.8: points 0.5
Genre
Nonfic
Scholastic Reading Counts
0
JLG Release
Aug 2021
Book Genres
Picture Book
Topics
Ruby-throated hummingbird. Birds. Life cycles. Nature and the natural world. Animal behavior and characteristics. Science.
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Cover Art
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Praise & Reviews
Praise & Reviews
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 4–Meisel’s entry in the “Nature Diary” series offers well-organized, flowing text and pleasant illustrations. Before the title page, there are facts about hummingbird behavior followed by descriptions of physical features, nesting, mating rituals, and more. The main text, which employs first-person narration to chronicle the life of a ruby-throated hummingbird, will engage story time participants. The story is also accessible to the early reader group. The ruby-throated hummingbird describes emerging from his little white egg, no bigger than a jelly bean. He learns to fly, catch bugs, and migrate to warmer climates. Finally, additional information about hummingbirds, which is written at a fourth-grade reading level, is shared. Recommendations for hummingbird-friendly plants, information about the delights of a bird feeder, and a recipe for nectar are provided. A glossary, source materials, and reading recommendations are included. VERDICT A delightful resource that features informative text and rich illustrations. Recommended for all libraries.–Nancy Call, formerly at Santa Cruz P.L., Aptos, CA
Horn Book
A ruby-throated hummingbird joins Meisel’s previous diarists—a praying mantis (My Awesome Summer, rev. 5/17), eastern bluebird (My Happy Year, rev. 5/19), and stink bug (My Stinky Summer, rev. 7/20)—in narrating his adventures through the seasons. From a teeny hatchling in a walnut-sized nest to fully grown adult weighing “a little more than…two pennies,” Ruby T. is tiny in stature but not in presence. The spare, journal-style text serves as captions for Meisel’s lively mixed-media illustrations, which effectively capture the hummingbird’s energy and quick movements. Entries track the creature’s growth and discuss diet, behaviors, habitat, and migration—an epic journey requiring incredible endurance (see also Robert Burleigh’s Tiny Bird, rev. 5/20). The pages focused on Ruby’s aggressive territorial behaviors (“June 21: This flower is MINE. No, you don’t!”), especially, will be crowd-pleasers. A glossary and list of suggested websites are appended; the illustrated front and back endpapers offer more in-depth information and a migration/habitat map. My Tiny Life leaves a big impression. KITTY FLYNN
Grades K-2
Nonfiction Early Elementary Plus
For Grades K-2
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Interests
Animals,Beginning Readers,Nonfiction,Picture Books,Science/STEAM,Storytime/Read Alouds
Grades K-2
Nonfiction Early Elementary Plus
14 books per Year
$270.34 per Year
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