Leaves Newsletter, Madrone Audubon Society, May 2009.
Reviewed by Mary Edith Moore
Today, Swifty is eight weeks old, and it’s time for his first big flight from the Pacific Northwest to Central America. Swifty is a Vaux’s Swift and eager to begin the long journey. Just before exiting the family hollow, Father tells Swifty to look for the biggest hollow on the edge of the forest where the “trees touch the city lights”. This is where the colony will roost for the night. Father also cautions him to lookout for hawks.
Lee keeps the reader in suspense as Swifty soars over the trees, towns, and towers. Flying is great fun and Swifty is thoroughly enjoying his adventure. But night is approaching and so is a hungry hawk. The biggest hollow at the edge of the forest cannot be found and before Swifty can find shelter—Bam!
Swifty’s Big Flight by Lee Jackson is a delightful, well-written chronicle with beautiful illustrations of a Vaux’s Swift’s first long flight. This book can be read by the average third or fourth grader or read to a younger child.
NOTE: During their fall migration in September, these tiny birds can be viewed in huge numbers when they come to roost at the chimney on the Rio Lindo Academy campus in Healdsburg CA.
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Many thanks for the book review to our friends at the Fresno Audubon Society!
This kind review found its way in to our email recently from Mr. Howard Clark at the Fresno Audubon Society. Thanks, Howard and Friends!
Lee Jackson’s book, geared for children, follows closely with the ecological truth. (S)he has studied the biology of the Vaux’s Swift (pronounced “vawks”) with help from the Portland Audubon Society. The ornithological accuracy found in Jackson’s book will certainly inspire young birders to take special mental notes on the birds they see in their local environment. The black-and-white drawings take on a comic book feel, but do not subtract from the work – in fact – they enhance it.
The clear illustrations add to the exhilaration and vigor the little bird must face during his adventure – like a close call with a hawk and the eventual reunion with his family and colony members. But watch out! When reading the book to your children during bedtime, expect such questions as “Daddy! Did little Swifty ever make it to South America?” and “Mommy! What is Swifty going to do tomorrow?” Lee Jackson has left plenty open for an equally exciting and thrilling part-two book!
If interested in purchasing copies of the book for sale, the author is offering them to Audubon societies at half the retail cost, plus shipping and handling. Proceeds from Swifty’s Big Flight (www.flyingswift.blogspot.com) benefit the Audubon Society of Portland’s Swift Watch program.
Lee Jackson’s book, geared for children, follows closely with the ecological truth. (S)he has studied the biology of the Vaux’s Swift (pronounced “vawks”) with help from the Portland Audubon Society. The ornithological accuracy found in Jackson’s book will certainly inspire young birders to take special mental notes on the birds they see in their local environment. The black-and-white drawings take on a comic book feel, but do not subtract from the work – in fact – they enhance it.
The clear illustrations add to the exhilaration and vigor the little bird must face during his adventure – like a close call with a hawk and the eventual reunion with his family and colony members. But watch out! When reading the book to your children during bedtime, expect such questions as “Daddy! Did little Swifty ever make it to South America?” and “Mommy! What is Swifty going to do tomorrow?” Lee Jackson has left plenty open for an equally exciting and thrilling part-two book!
If interested in purchasing copies of the book for sale, the author is offering them to Audubon societies at half the retail cost, plus shipping and handling. Proceeds from Swifty’s Big Flight (www.flyingswift.blogspot.com) benefit the Audubon Society of Portland’s Swift Watch program.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Book Review on The Oregonian Book Blog
Local children's book: "Swifty's Big Flight"
Posted by Helen Babbitt, special to The Oregonian November 07, 2008 10:43AM
Vaux's swifts roost in the chimney at Chapman Elementary School in Northwest Portland each fall. With "Swifty's Big Flight," Lee Jackson of Portland has crafted a children's book that combines narrative about a young swift's adventure with ornithological facts: Vaux's is pronounced "vawks," not "voh," and these birds with crescent-shaped wings cling to vertical surfaces rather than perch.
Venturing away from his family for the first time, Swifty delights in his independence. He eats and drinks midflight but because of his excitement is unable to sleep midflight, like other Vaux's Swifts. Swifty survives a close call with a hawk and winds up with his family in the roosting chimney, along with hundreds of other swifts.
Bold black-and-white drawings by Ryan Alexander-Tanner feel like a comic book, a comic book with charm. A perfect way for grown-up birders to introduce the young people in their lives to the wonders and rewards of birding, "Swifty's Big Flight" calls for swooping up the kids, the rain gear and binoculars and heading outside. www.flyingswift.blogspot.com
Details: SWIFTY'S BIG FLIGHT
Lee Jackson, Tiger RM LLC, $7.95 paperback, 32 pages
Posted by Helen Babbitt, special to The Oregonian November 07, 2008 10:43AM
Vaux's swifts roost in the chimney at Chapman Elementary School in Northwest Portland each fall. With "Swifty's Big Flight," Lee Jackson of Portland has crafted a children's book that combines narrative about a young swift's adventure with ornithological facts: Vaux's is pronounced "vawks," not "voh," and these birds with crescent-shaped wings cling to vertical surfaces rather than perch.
Venturing away from his family for the first time, Swifty delights in his independence. He eats and drinks midflight but because of his excitement is unable to sleep midflight, like other Vaux's Swifts. Swifty survives a close call with a hawk and winds up with his family in the roosting chimney, along with hundreds of other swifts.
Bold black-and-white drawings by Ryan Alexander-Tanner feel like a comic book, a comic book with charm. A perfect way for grown-up birders to introduce the young people in their lives to the wonders and rewards of birding, "Swifty's Big Flight" calls for swooping up the kids, the rain gear and binoculars and heading outside. www.flyingswift.blogspot.com
Details: SWIFTY'S BIG FLIGHT
Lee Jackson, Tiger RM LLC, $7.95 paperback, 32 pages
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