Super Swifts: The Small Bird With Amazing Powers
Follow the swifts on their incredible journey north, from the jungles of Africa to their nesting site in Europe.
A little bird, small enough to sit in the palm of your hand. Swifts may be small and brown, but they are the champions of the bird world – flying faster, higher and for longer than any other bird! This new title in the celebrated Nature Storybook series is packed with interesting facts to inspire a love of the natural world.
Resources
Creators
Justin Anderson has eighteen years of documentary experience working for the BBC; he has presented an acclaimed radio documentary for BBC Radio 4 where he tracked arctic wolves across Canada, and went on to direct the Mountains episode for the BAFTA and Emmy Award winning Planet Earth II series. Follow Justin on Twitter @JustinFAnderson
Clover Robin is a collage artist and the author and illustrator of several books for children, including Cut Paper Pictures, Bug Hotel and Bird House.
Reviews
Anderson introduces readers to the small, unassuming birds who migrate yearly from central Africa to northern Europe as the “champions of the bird world.”. . . Interspersed are facts and further information for curious readers.
School Library Journal
It’s a close-up view that hints at the inter-relatedness of life. More about swifts concludes.
Publishers Weekly
In this accessible science picture book, a common swift flies from Africa to Europe in order to nest and reproduce in the summer. . . . Engaging collage-like mixed-media illustrations against varied backgrounds capture the characteristic motion of swifts in flight. The pacing and level of detail are just right for young readers, while the information on life cycle and abilities is sure to impress slightly older ones.
The Horn Book
Mixed-media close-ups by Robin show the birds’ gray plumage and blade-like wings, while aerial views show a female (“our swift”) flying over vast oceans and above misty banks of sun-reflecting golden clouds. . . . a close-up view that hints at the inter-relatedness of life.
Publishers Weekly
Ideal for a read-aloud. . . Robin’s mixed-media illustrations show the changing scenery in double-page spreads; smaller vignettes depict nesting details and a thrilling scene in which our protagonist must evade an attacking falcon. A quick look at a super-speedy bird.
Kirkus Reviews
